Polymer Consultant: Fluoropolymers, Film Extrusion, Tires, Rubber, Adhesives

Expertise

• Fluoropolymer science and technology (polymerization: surfactant systems, C-8 replacement; coatings, processing).
• Polymer film extrusion and orientation.
• Rubber science and technology.
• Thermoplastic elastomers.
• Tire manufacture and testing.
• Radiation technology as related to polymers, coatings and adhesives.
• Coatings and adhesives.
• Rubber latex chemistry, technology and use.
• Environmental aspects of polymer manufacture and processing.
• Technical translations from and to Czech, Slovak and German.
• International liaison and technology transfer.
• Training and education related to polymer science and technology.

Experience

Independent Consultant, 1995 - Present

• Expert witness for technology and use of rubber, plastic, adhesives, coating and failure analysis of polymeric systems.
• Polymer product and process development (polymerization, processing).
• Technical translations: Books, articles, patents, manuals (German, Czech, and Slovak, to and from English).
• International liaison with contacts in Europe for negotiations, interpretation and correspondence.
• Technology transfer to and from the US, Europe and India.
• Education and training.

Consulting Practice Part time, 1986 - 1995

• Rubber and plastics processing.
• Adhesives and coatings.

ChemFab Corporation, Merrimack, NH, Sr. Develop Engineer, Staff Scientist, 1989 - 1995

• PTFE, FEP, PFA, PVDF, PCTFE, blends with other polymers, coatings and processing, lamination and bonding.
• Chemistry and polymerization of fluoropolymers.
• Blends of fluoropolymers with other materials such as acrylics.
• Fluoropolymer based composites with glass,"Kevlar", "Nomex" and other reinforcements.
• High-temperature pressure sensitive tapes (PSA) tapes.
• High-barrier films and barrier property optimization in plastic films.

Fulflex, Inc., Middleton, RI, Corporate Manager, New Product Development, 1984 - 1989

• Cut threads and tapes.
• Processing and applications of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
• Radiation processing of elastomers and plastics.
• Heat shrinkable plastic films.
• Foams produced from solid rubber and latex.
• Plastic film extrusion and film production.
• Film orientation.
• Laser applications for rubber and plastics.

Plymouth Rubber Co., Canton, MA, Technical Director, Roofing Products, 1982 - 1984

• Roofing materials (EPDM, PVC).
• Electrical insulation tapes.
• Adhesives, including specialty adhesives for unique applications.
• TPE sheeting.

Beloit-Manhattan, Inc., Clarks Summit, PA, Assistant Director of R&D, 1978 - 1982

• Rubber covered rolls, wheels and chemical tanks and pipes.
• Rubber belting.
• Rubber to metal bonding.
• Roll engineering (bending, crowns).

Carlisle Tire and Rubber Co., Carlisle, PA, Manager, Product Development, 1971 - 1977

• Tires (bicycle, boat trailer, golf carts, garden tractors).
• Radiator hose.
• Adhesives and sealants.
• Polyurethane chemistry and technology.
• EPDM rubber roofing and pond-liners.

B.F. Goodrich International Co., Akron, OH, Senior Product Engineer, 1966 -1970

• Tires (passenger, truck, airplane).
• Butyl rubber inner tubes.

Deutsche Dunlop AG, Hanau/Main, Germany, Chemist, 1965 - 1966

• Repair materials for tires and tubes.

Matador Rubber Works, Bratislava, Slovak Republic, Group Leader

• Technical rubber (hose, conveyor belting, flooring, seals).
• Rubber covered rolls and wheels; rubber tank liners.
• Chemistry and processing to produce sponge and foams.
• Latex chemistry and technology.
• Electrical insulators and materials.

Teaching Experience

• Adjunct Faculty, Plastics Engineering, U/Mass at Lowell. Seminars on Fluoropolymers, Radiation Technology and Electrical Properties of Polymers.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (Physics of Polymers), University of Akron.

Honors & Publications

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• American Chemical Society (Polymer and Rubber Divisions)
• Society of Plastics Engineers
• ASM International
• Radtech
• Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers

Publications and Patents

• Two books on Rubber Technology (1962 and 1967 in Czech and Slovak respectively).
• Book on Fluoropolymer Technology
• Book on Radiation Technology for Polymers
• Book on Thermoplastic Elastomers
• Author for Fluoroplastics Review
• Chapter on Process Selection in The Manual of Plastic Part Manufacturing, Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
• Coauthor of three patents in fluoropolymer technology, and one on radiation processing.
• Translated two books and over 200 articles in Plastics and Rubber Technology from German to English.
• Presented many papers in national and international conferences.

Education

• MBA Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA
• M.S. Poly. Science, Inst. of Polymer Science, University of Akron, OH
• M.S. Chemical Eng., Technical University Prague, Czech Republic
• Doctoral Program, Institute of Polymer Science, University of Akron, OH