Abstract: A rubber part for use as a structural component for incorporation into a brick or masonry wall structure in a reinforced concrete frame, to be located within the plane of the wall, has a length x and a stiffness along its length of Sx, a width y and a stiffness across its width of Sy, and a thickness z and a stiffness across its thickness of Sz, the stiffness of the part being anisotropic with Sy>Sx. The part is adapted such that, when in use, it is capable of controlling vibrations of the wall caused by seismic activity and also of having a damping effect thereby increasing the energy dissipation capacity of the structure. The rubber part is preferably in the form of a sheet and can be laminated on one or both major surfaces. The two major surfaces of the sheet may be contoured, for instance being corrugated across its width.

Abstract: Rubber compounds comprising one or more rubber with polar functionality and one or more polar filler are prepared by a method comprising the steps: (i) adding a polar volatile liquid to the polar filler; (ii) mixing the one or more rubber with polar functionality with the polar volatile liquid and polar filler to produce a dispersion of the polar filler in the one or more rubber; and (iii) removing the polar volatile liquid from the dispersion. The invention Improves the consistency and uniformity of mixing of rubber compounds based on elastomers having polar functionality, such as epoxidized natural rubber, containing polar reinforcing fillers, such as precipitated silica, The compounds, when vulcanized, have improved mechanical properties. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires.

Abstract: A bearing preset system for inhibiting movement of bearings in a construction comprises a first plate (1) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the upper surface (3) of the first plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to a lower surface of a first bearing member and a second plate (2) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the lower surface (5) of the second plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to an upper surface of a second bearing member and wherein the conformation of the lower surface (7) of the first plate and the conformation of the upper surface (9) of the second plate are such as to prevent movement in at least one shear direction between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A bearing preset system for inhibiting movement of bearings in a construction comprises a first plate (1) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the upper surface (3) of the first plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to a lower surface of a first bearing member and a second plate (2) having an upper and a lower surface wherein the lower surface (5) of the second plate is adapted for mounting onto and being secured to an upper surface of a second bearing member and wherein the conformation of the lower surface (7) of the first plate and the conformation of the upper surface (9) of the second plate are such as to prevent movement in at least one shear direction between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprises a blend of a thermoplastic component with a cured elastomer component characterised in that the elastomer component prior to curing comprises a major proportion of a main elastomer and a minor proportion of a high molecular weight reactive polymer which shows a higher crosslinking efficiency in free-radical induced vulcanisation than the main elastomer. Preferably, the high molecular weight reactive polymer comprises from (3) to (15), and more preferably (4) to (10), parts by weight per one hundred parts of the total elastomer component of the composition. The use of the high molecular weight reactive polymer in the composition improves the low temperature performance of the composition and gives improvements to the processing behaviour, the resistance to stiffening at low temperatures and recovery/relaxation properties. Preferably, the high molecular weight reactive polymer is miscible with the main elastomer in the elastomer component.

Abstract: Rubber articles e.g. rubber latex gloves have an adherent anti-tack coating comprising a mixture of a) a carboxylated synthetic rubber latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) of 10.degree. C. or above, with b) a latex polymer having an MFFT below 10.degree. C. and/or c) a water-soluble organic polymeric hydroxy material. Component b) tends to confer non-slip properties while component c) tends to confer lubricating properties.