Applications of Py-GC/MS in the Tire Industry

Passenger and commercial vehicle tires are a complex materials technology that may include ten or more distinct layered rubber compounds each formulated to provide different physical and chemical properties based on application and end use. These compounds are engineered to meet specific metrics related to weight, rolling resistance, and wet traction so as to comply with strict fuel economy and road safety regulations. Therefore, information obtained for the purposes of reverse engineering and materials analysis is of great value to tire chemists especially in the case of failure investigation.

Each rubber material is composed of numerous chemical components such as small molecular compounds (plasticizer oils, anti-degradants, and curatives), oligomers and polymers (reinforcing resins, rubber, and rubber blends), and inorganic fillers (carbon black, silica, clay, etc.). Because these materials are complex and generally vulcanized analysis can be time consuming and difficult. Py-GC/MS is a simple and effective method to quickly break down materials for whole sample analysis.

Our panel will host a Q&A session after the presentation to address any questions or comments.

Presenter: Dustin Jenkins, Ph.D. (Chemistry Supervisor, Smithers)

Presenter: Heather Juzwa (Senior Field Sales Engineer, Shimadzu)

Heather Juzwa is a Senior Field Sales Engineer at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments and has been since October of 2006. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 with an honors bachelors’ degree in Chemistry. Having a passion for instrumentation,she washired by Hitachi Instrumentsupon graduation. Heather’s service to the field of chemistry began as an undergraduate and has continued throughout her career.She served as the Secretary of theAmerican Chemical Society – Student Affiliates while a senior at the University of Pittsburgh and has remained in the ACS since then. She served as Chair of the Pittsburgh Section in 2011 and currently serves as Webmaster for the Pittsburgh Section website and has since 2012. Heather’s direction paved the way for the section to receive an esteemed Chem Luminary for being an Outstanding Large Local Section for 2012. Heather also served as Chair of the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh in 2013-2014. For many years, she has happily served on and chaired many committees of the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, and the Pittcon committee and looks forward to playing key roles in these organizations for years to come. Heather served as the General Chair of the Central Regional Meetingof the ACS in Pittsburgh in October 2014. Her leadership resulted in another Chem Luminary from the National ACS for Best Regional Meeting.Heather has been a Director ofthe Pittsburgh Local Section of the ACS since 2013. Heather is currently serving as Pittcon 2021 Treasurer. She won the Distinguished Service Award from the Pittsburgh Local Section of the ACS in 2014 as well as the 2015 Regional E. Ann Nalley Regional Award for Volunteer Service to theentire Central RegionAmerican Chemical Society. With her May 2020 nomination to serve as Chair of the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh for the 2021-2022 year, she became only the fourth person and first woman history to lead all three major scientific organizations in Pittsburgh.