Ground Tire Rubber Modified by Elastomers via Low-Temperature Extrusion Process: Physico-Mechanical Properties and Volatile Organic Emission Assessment.

Paulina Wiśniewska,Krzysztof Formela,Łukasz Zedler,Marek Klein,Józef Haponiuk,Mariusz Marć

doi:10.3390/polym14030546

Paulina Wiśniewska, Krzysztof Formela + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030546

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Abstract

In this paper, low-temperature extrusion of ground tire rubber was performed as a pro-ecological waste tires recycling method. During this process, ground tire rubber was modified with constant content of dicumyl peroxide and a variable amount of elastomer (in the range: 2.5–15 phr). During the studies, three types of elastomers were used: styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride and ethylene-octene copolymer. Energy consumption measurements, curing characteristics, physico-mechanical properties and volatile organic compounds emitted from modified reclaimed GTR were determined. The VOCs emission profile was investigated using a passive sampling technique, miniature emission chambers system and static headspace analysis and subsequently quantitative or qualitative analysis by gas chromatography. The VOCs analysis showed that in the studied conditions the most emitted volatile compounds are dicumyl peroxide decomposition by-products, such as: α-methylstyrene, acetophenone, α-cumyl alcohol, methyl cumyl ether, while the detection level of benzothiazole (devulcanization “marker”) was very low. Moreover, it was found that the mechanical properties of the obtained materials significantly improved with a higher content of styrene-butadiene rubber and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride while the opposite trend was observed for ethylene-octene copolymer content.

Highlights

Tires are complex and high-performance composites, which consist of many components such as tread, tread base, tread chimney, cushion, sidewall, bead region, plies, belts, overlay, shoulder wedge, inner liner, gum strips, etc. [1]
In our previous work [28], we demonstrated the possibility of obtaining thermoplasticmodified Ground tire rubber (GTR) prepared via low-temperature extrusion
GTR was modified by low-temperature extrusion in the presence of a low amount of commercially available elastomeric modifiers

Summary

Introduction

Tires are complex and high-performance composites, which consist of many components such as tread, tread base, tread chimney, cushion, sidewall, bead region, plies, belts, overlay, shoulder wedge, inner liner, gum strips, etc. [1]. Up to fourteen different compounds can be found in a tire, not including the types of steel cord and fabric reinforcement [1]. Such a composition is necessary to obtain a product that meets the high requirements; it becomes a major drawback at the end of its life. Other methods lead to the production of materials that directly contact the environment and people (civil engineering, reclaiming/devulcanization) This means that these products must meet the appropriate requirements set for them by manufacturers, customers, and standards, such as the easiest processing method, specific physico-mechanical characteristics, and characterization of the potential risk to the site and product users

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Results

Conclusion