Welcome to the APTC courses page. We currently offer courses in the following areas: Plastics, Rubber, Corrosion, Innovative Solutions, Medical Technology, Color Technology, and Adhesives and Coatings.

Courses are arranged by date, and can be sorted according to category type using the dropdown menu below.

Polyurethanes in Medical Devices

Date: 05/08/2013 - 05/08/2013
Course Number: AP5211
CEU's: 0.75
Location: Akron Polymer Training Center, Akron, OH 44325-5404

This is a practical course dealing with the chemistry and technology of polyurethanes intended for engineers and other technologists, marketing specialists, and sales personnel involved in the medical device industry. Overall, the course provides an introduction to the terminology, overall chemistry and the scope of polyurethanes use in the medical or related pharmaceutical applications. Definitions related to aliphatic and aromatic classifications and relationships among polyester, polyether, polycarbonate, siloxane, and other key backbone types are discussed both chemically and in terms of application to specific devices. Processing methods related to polymerization and end use device fabrication are discussed including extrusion, injection molding, coating processes, and electro-spinning will be presented. Key applications are identified along with pertinent rationale for urethane selection. These include catheters, surgical drapes, wound dressing, vein grafts, spine implants, transdermal drug delivery, adhesive, coatings and the like. Finally, emerging technologies related to urethane technology such as nanomaterials, antimicrobials, new backbone chemistries will be discussed. Learn More

Best Practices in Rubber to Metal Bonding

Date: 09/26/2013 - 09/26/2013
Course Number: AP4208
CEU's: .75
Location: Akron Polymer Training Center, Akron, OH 44325-5404

This one day course will teach the student not only the best practices, but also how to avoid the worst practices in rubber to metal bonding.  Included in the discussion will be metal surface preparation, adhesive application, prepared insert handling, insert loaders, cleanliness to protect bonding properties and bond killers to avoid.  This course is low on theoretical content, high on practical content and based on real-world experience.  The information gained in this course should prove valuable as a supplier evaluation tool for anyone who is responsible for purchasing rubber to metal bonded parts.  Also the course should prove very useful to technical people and production operators in companies who produce rubber to metal bonded parts. Learn More

Polymer Compounding, Formulating and Testing of Plastics, Rubber, Adhesives and Coatings Materials

Returning Spring 2014!
CEU's: 2.25
Location: Akron Polymer Training Center, Akron, OH 44325-5404

This three-day overview course is designed to help chemists and nonchemists alike become familiar with the compounding and formulating of materials used in the polymer industries: i.e. plastics, rubber, adhesives, and coating industries. Compounding materials are studied and compared by general class and function. Also, comparisons are made among similar materials used in different polymer industries. Technology transference from one industrial use to another is encouraged. The following are included in this course: Introduction and Discussion of Polymer Chemistry; Overview of Plastics Compounding; Overview of Rubber Compounding: Review of Adhesives Compounding; Overview of Coatings Formulating. Learn More

Rubber Adhesion and Adhesives

Returning Spring 2014!
CEU's: 1.5
Location: Akron Polymer Training Center, Akron, OH 44325-5404

This course focuses on the use of adhesives for bonding rubber to substrates (primarily metal) in non-tire applications. It covers adhesive selection and application along with substrate preparation techniques. The course includes an emphasis on in-process problem resolution. Learn More