Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Reclamation: Virgin Rubber / Reclaimed GTR (RE)Vulcanizates

Abstract

Abstract Thermochemically partially devulcanized ground tire rubber (GTR D ) was revulcanized in compositions with different virgin rubbers. Two different devulcanizing groups (mixture of softeners) with and without processing oil have been used for GTR treatment. As virgin rubbers methylstyrene/butadiene (SBR), isoprene (IR) and butadiene (BR) rubbers or their combinations were selected. They were cured by using sulfur, tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD) or peroxide based vulcanizing systems. The Rubber/GTRD (re)vulcanizates with the GTR D content from 20 to 80 wt. % have been prepared and studied. Vulcanization by sulfur system was found as preferable for IR/GTR D formulations. The best properties for BR/GTR D and SBR/GTR D vulcanizates were reached with the vulcanization system based on TMTD. The co-curing in the interphase between the GTR D particles and the surrounding rubber matrix improves the mechanical properties of (re)vulcanizates obtained. The reclaimed GTR D studied has been used successfully in standard formulations for tires instead of the part of virgin rubbers.