The All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), Western Region - Pune Chapter, successfully conducted the 13th session of its technical seminar series on 29 April 2026. The session, titled "Know Your Testing: Heat Aging of Rubber", brought together industry professionals, technologists and students for an in-depth understanding of one of the most critical aspects of rubber performance evaluation.

The seminar was led by Mr. Prafulla Patil, an expert with over three decades of experience in rubber technology, manufacturing and quality systems. He began by underlining the importance of heat aging tests in assessing how rubber materials behave under prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, an essential factor in determining product durability and service life. A key focus of the session was the comparison between unaged and aged specimens to evaluate deterioration in physical properties. Participants were introduced to widely used testing methods such as the Air Oven Method and the Oxygen Pressure Method, along with their practical limitations in replicating real-life conditions.

He elaborated on critical testing parameters including temperature, duration and polymer type, emphasizing that these must be carefully selected based on application requirements. He also discussed key performance indicators such as hardness, tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break, which are measured before and after aging to determine material stability. The session referenced global standards including ASTM International and ISO guidelines, reinforcing the importance of standardized testing practices. Insights into testing equipment, controlled conditions and procedural accuracy further enriched the discussion.

A notable highlight was the focus on formulation strategies to enhance heat resistance. The speaker explained the advantages of peroxide curing systems over conventional sulfur curing, particularly in achieving superior thermal stability.