Abstract
This study investigates the addition of ground tire rubber (GTR) into virgin polyamide 6 (PA6) to produce thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends. In particular, a wide range of GTR concentration (0–100% wt.) was possible by using a simple dry blending technique of the materials in a powder form followed by compression molding. The molded samples were characterized in terms of morphological (scanning electron microscopy), physical (density and hardness) and mechanical (tension, flexion and impact) properties. The results showed a decrease in tensile and flexural moduli and strengths with GTR due to its elastomeric nature. However, significant increases were observed on the tensile elongation at break (up to 167%) and impact strength (up to 131%) compared to the neat PA6 matrix. Based on the results obtained, an optimum GTR content around 75% wt. was observed which represents a balance between high recycled rubber content and a sufficient amount of matrix to recover all the particles. These results represent a first step showing that a simple processing method can be used to produce low cost PA6/GTR compounds with a wide range of physical and mechanical properties.
Highlights
Nowadays, it is very difficult to imagine having a life without the use of plastics
At higher temperatures under air (Figure 3(a)), the temperature at which the polyamide 6 (PA6) maximum weight loss occurs is around 400C and the overall weight loss ends around 610C
To study the complete ground tire rubber (GTR) range (0–100% wt.), a simple dry blending method was performed on the materials in a powder form to produce plates via compression molding
Summary
It is very difficult to imagine having a life without the use of plastics. Due to their versatility, durability, flexibility, relatively low cost and mechanical performance, plastics have been used in multiple applications such as storage, transport and packaging of any type of products. Durability, flexibility, relatively low cost and mechanical performance, plastics have been used in multiple applications such as storage, transport and packaging of any type of products This situation led to a sustained increase in the production of plastics products, and to an increasing amount of parts achieving their end of life.[1]. Depending on the required physical and chemical structure, the main families are natural rubber (NR) and synthetic elastomers such as butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and styreneethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS).[3]
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