System and method for polymer synthesis, rubber formulation, and characterization

A method for formulating a plurality of rubber formulations and characterizing, the method comprising:

• (i) providing a plurality of rubber cement samples, where the plurality of rubber cement samples are contained within a plurality of respective containers, and where the plurality of respective containers are arranged in an array, where each of the rubber cement samples of the plurality of rubber cement samples includes from about 0.5 to about 120 gram of rubber dispersed or dissolved within a cement having a volume of less than 400 mL;
• (ii) introducing a compounding additive to each of the rubber cement samples of the plurality of rubber cement samples while each rubber cement sample is contained within the plurality of the respective containers to thereby form a plurality of rubber cement formulations, where each rubber cement formulation of the plurality of rubber cement formulations is contained within the plurality of respective containers, and where the plurality of respective containers are arranged in the array;
• (iii) solution mixing each of the rubber cement formulations of the array of rubber cement formulations while each rubber cement formulation is contained within the plurality of respective containers to thereby form a plurality of mixed rubber cement formulations, where each mixed rubber cement formulation of the plurality of mixed rubber cement formulations is contained with the plurality of respective containers, and where the plurality of respective containers are arranged in the array;
• (iv) desolventizing each mixed rubber cement formulation of the of the plurality of mixed rubber cement formulations thereby form a plurality of desolventized rubber formulations, where each desolventized rubber formulation of the plurality of desolventized rubber formulations is contained within the plurality of respective containers, and where the plurality of respective containers are arranged in the array;
• and
• (v) analyzing each desolventized rubber formulation of the plurality of desolventized rubber formulations to thereby characterize the each desolventized rubber formulation of the plurality of desolventized rubber formulations.