Rubber technologists apply their knowledge of physics, chemistry and engineering to the process of converting raw rubber material into saleable products such as tyres, belting, elastic bands, balloons, balls and footwear.
Rubber technologists usually specialise in one of the following areas of the rubber industry:
Product and production control: this entails drawing up standard formulae for the production of rubber products based on laboratory experimentation.
Product development: these rubber technologists are involved in the design of new rubber products. Planning is done in cooperation with engineers, draughtsmen and consumers in the mining, chemical and automotive industry. A prototype is made and tested to ensure that it complies with the requirements.
Quality control: controlling the rubber manufacturing process and ensuring that quality standards are maintained throughout.
Sales: these rubber technologists give technical advice to customers and may be involved in work studies, technical writing, purchasing, market research, training and sales of rubber products.