Friction and wear behavior of styrene butadiene rubber‐based composites reinforced with microwave‐devulcanized ground tire rubber

In this work, the tribological properties of a new material obtained by revulcanization with styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and devulcanized ground tire rubber (GTR) were investigated. GTR was devulcanized using the microwave method at a constant power while varying the microwave exposure time. Devulcanized rubber (DV‐R) and untreated GTR were revulcanized by mixing with SBR at different rates (10, 30, 50 phr). To determine friction and wear characteristics of the samples, pin (ball) on disc and abrasion tests were conducted. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the worn surfaces of the composites to correlate the experimental test results to the wear mechanisms. All of these tests and experiments were performed on original vulcanized rubber samples for comparison. The composites exhibited different friction and wear behavior due to morphology, dispersion behavior and devulcanization functionalization of ground tire rubber. In general, DV‐R/SBR composites exhibited improvement in both mechanical and tribological properties. However, the enhanced compatibility of DV‐R resulting from the specific chemical coupling of DV‐R with SBR was crucial for the mechanical, friction and wear properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42419.     

Thermomechanical reclaiming of ground tire rubber via extrusion at low temperature: Efficiency and limits

Thermomechanical reclaiming of ground tire rubber (GTR) was performed at different temperatures (60, 120, and 180°C) using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. Obtained samples were used in styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) blends. As reference samples, SBR compounds containing untreated GTR were used. Curing characteristics, static and dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of the obtained blends were determined. The results show that the increase of barrel temperature during the thermomechanical reclaiming of GTR has a positive effect on the decrease of screw torque (lower machine load) and decrease of Mooney viscosity (better processing characteristics). However, mechanical properties and crosslink density of rubber revulcanizate decreased with increasing barrel temperature during the reclaiming process. SBR blends with 50 phr of reclaimed rubber showed increasing phase compatibility between SBR matrix and the reclaimed rubber, which was confirmed by mechanical properties and morphology measurements. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:213–221, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Determination of compounding formulation of cured rubber by reverse engineering

The present work deals with reverse engineering on four rubber formulations. Information about the material composition of the compounding formulations was obtained by using techniques such as acetone extract, thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence studies, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode. The reverse engineered formulations were compared on a qualitative and quantitative basis with the initial formulations. The aim was to ascertain the validity of the methodology, which may be used as reverse engineering of rubber compounds to quantitatively analyze unknown ground tire rubber in future. The state of the art was based on a fractional mass transfer from acetone extract to the rubbers detected in TGA. Through this new approach, the formulations calculated were very consistent with the formulations employed, thus establishing the validity of the methodology used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1450–1458, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Photoinitiated grafting of glycidyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid on ground tire rubber

Ground tire rubber (GTR) films and GTR particles were surface‐functionalized by glycidyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid through photoinitiated grafting. The grafting yield of GTR films was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR‐ATR). For the calibration of the FTIR‐ATR data, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used. The presence of epoxy and carboxyl groups on the GTR surface was demonstrated by contact‐angle measurements. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1622–1630, 2003     

Curing characteristics,mechanical properties and morphology of butyl rubber filled with ground tire rubber (GTR)

The results on testing application of ground tire rubber (GTR), as potential filler for butyl rubber, are presented. The GTR content variation, within the range of 10–90 phr, was studied with respect to the vulcanization process, static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation-at-break, hardness and resilience), dynamic mechanical properties and the morphology of the obtained vulcanizates. Butyl rubber was characterized by its low compatibility to other elastomers [i.e., natural rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)—the main ingredients of tires] and low degree of unsaturation. To evaluate the impact of these factors on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of butyl rubber vulcanizates filled with GTR, the same compositions of SBR compounds, cured under identical conditions, were used as reference samples. Based on the obtained data, it can be stated that butyl rubber vulcanizates containing 30 phr of GTR as filler revealed the highest tensile strength and elongation-at-break. The microstructural analysis of a sample containing 30 phr of GTR revealed strong interactions between the butyl rubber matrix and GTR. This phenomenon resulted mainly from two factors. First, the cross-link density of the butyl rubber matrix was affected by its competition against GTR for cross-linking agents. Secondly, the migration of carbon black particles from GTR into the butyl rubber matrix had a significant impact on properties of the obtained vulcanizates.     

Thermoplastic dynamic vulcanisates containing LDPE,rubber, and thermochemically reclaimed ground tyre rubber

Abstract

Thermochemically devulcanised ground tyre rubber (GTR^DL) was added to fresh rubber compositions, which were then melt blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE). Styrene/butadiene rubber (SBR), natural (NR), and ethylene/propylene/diene (EPDM) rubbers were selected as the fresh rubbers. During blending, dynamic curing was achieved using sulphuric, phenolic, and peroxide curing agents. Some of the GTR was decomposed in the presence of 6 phr Regen^TM Agent-S reclaiming compound before being incorporated into the blends. The resulting thermoplastic dynamic vulcanisates had constant compositions, namely LDPE/rubber/GTR=50:25:25. Sulphuric and phenolic curing agents proved to be most suitable for dynamic curing. The thermoplastic dynamic vulcanisates with the best mechanical performance contained SBR and EPDM rubbers. The observed improvements in mechanical performance were attributed to chain entanglement and co-crosslinking in the interphase between the GTR^DL particles and the surrounding matrix (i.e. with the fresh rubber and/or LDPE). The phase morphology, which was assessed using scanning electron microscopy on the etched surfaces of cryogenically fractured thermoplastic dynamic vulcanisate compositions, is discussed.     

Thermoplastic elastomers based on recycled high‐density polyethylene,ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber,and ground tire rubber

High‐performance thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), based on recycled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE^R), olefinic type ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM), and ground tire rubber (GTR) treated with bitumen, were prepared by using dynamic vulcanization technology, and their structure–property relationships were investigated. It was established that special pretreatment of GTR by bitumen confers outstanding mechanical properties on the resulting TPEs. TPEs, containing GTR pretreated by bitumen, exhibit thermal behavior similar to that of the HDPE^R/EPDM basic blend in the temperature region up to about 340°C. Rheological measurements showed that bitumen acts as an effective plasticizer for the GTR‐containing TPEs. SEM, DSC, and DMTA results revealed improved adhesion between the particles of GTR treated by bitumen and the surrounding thermoplastic matrix, compared to that of the untreated GTR particles. It was concluded that bitumen acts as an effective devulcanizing agent in the GTR treatment stage. In the following steps of TPE production, bitumen acts simultaneously as a curing agent for the rubber components (EPDM/GTR) and as a compatibilizer for the blend components. GTR‐containing TPEs, prepared by extrusion technology, were reprocessed (by passing through the extruder six times) without any observable changes in their tensile properties, thermal stability, and melt viscosity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 659–671, 2005     

氧化亚铁硫杆菌脱硫胎面胶粉/丁苯橡胶并用胶的性能研究

采用氧化亚铁硫杆菌对胎面胶粉(GTR)进行脱硫再生,将生物脱硫胎面胶粉(DGTR)与丁苯橡胶(SBR)共混制备DGTR/SBR并用胶,并对其性能进行研究。结果表明:从氧化亚铁硫杆菌与GTR共培养脱硫再生过程发现,氧化亚铁硫杆菌可以代谢硫化胶粉中的化合硫,脱硫后胶粉的溶胶质量分数增大;与GTR/SBR并用胶相比,DGTR/SBR并用胶的交联密度较小,物理性能显著提高;DGTR/SBR并用胶分子间的摩擦阻力减小,玻璃化温度降低;与GTR相比,DGTR与SBR的界面结合更好。     

Preparation of rubber composites from ground tire rubber reinforced with waste‐tire fiber through mechanical milling

Composites made from ground tire rubber (GTR) and waste fiber produced in tire reclamation were prepared by mechanical milling. The effects of the fiber content, pan milling, and fiber orientation on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the stress‐induced mechanochemical devulcanization of waste rubber and the reinforcement of devulcanized waste rubber with waste‐tire fibers could be achieved through comilling. For a comilled system, the tensile strength and elongation at break of revulcanized GTR/fiber composites reached maximum values of 9.6 MPa and 215.9%, respectively, with 5 wt % fiber. Compared with those of a composite prepared in a conventional mixing manner, the mechanical properties were greatly improved by comilling. Oxygen‐containing groups on the surface of GTR particles, which were produced during pan milling, increased interfacial interactions between GTR and waste fibers. The fiber‐filled composites showed anisotropy in the stress–strain properties because of preferential orientation of the short fibers along the roll‐milling direction (longitudinal), and the adhesion between the fiber and rubber matrix was improved by the comilling of the fiber with waste rubber. The proposed process provides an economical and ecologically sound method for tire‐rubber recycling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 4087–4094, 2007     

Characterization and properties of LDPE/(ground tire rubber)/crosslinked butyl rubber blends

In recent years, interest in used rubber recycling, mainly focusing on the utilization of end‐of‐life tires, has heightened. This interest, is owing to the activities related to environmental protection and economic factors, which both stimulate companies to reuse the high‐quality rubber present in ground rubber scrap. In this study, the application of crosslinked butyl rubber in thermoplastic compositions of low‐density polyethylene and ground tire rubber (GTR) is presented. The static and dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of obtained products were studied. The addition of crosslinked butyl rubber to the investigated blends increased the compatibility between the low‐density polyethylene and the GTR particles. It was found that the mechanical properties of thermoplastic compositions containing higher amounts of elastomers (i.e., GTR and crosslinked butyl elastomer) displayed the same behavior, whereas the samples with GTR had worse respective parameters. Depending on their composition, the obtained new polymer blends can be applied to automotive parts, be adapted to pavement surfaces, and become parts of antivibration systems. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:237–242, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Crystallization kinetics of thermoplastic elastomeric blends based on ground tyre rubber

This work analyzes the crystallization process of thermoplastic elastomeric blends (TPE) based on ground tyre rubber (GTR). More specifically it analyzes the effect of GTR and fresh rubber materials, like ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), on the crystallization of binary and ternary polypropylene (PP)‐based blends. The crystallization kinetics is studied under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kinetic parameters derived from the Avrami model are used to study the effect of temperature and rubber materials on the nucleation mechanism, the morphology of the crystalline structures, and the crystallization rate. Results reveal that GTR has a strong nucleating effect on PP and that its presence leads to higher crystallization rates. The EPDM presence has a slight effect on the PP crystallization process whereas EPR has no significant effect. From the DSC curves it is possible to detect an inverse relationship between temperature and the crystallization rate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42589.     

Improvement of the properties of ground tire rubber (GTR)‐filled nitrile rubber vulcanizates through plasma surface modification of GTR powder

The surface modification of ground tire rubber (GTR) powder to enhance its adhesion to nitrile rubber (NBR) vulcanizates was investigated. The hydrophobic surface of GTR powder has been transformed to a hydrophilic one through atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The water contact angle dropped markedly from 116 to 0° after being treated for more than 10 s. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectral (ATR‐FTIR) studies revealed the increase in peak intensity at 3298 and 1640 cm^?1 that correspond to O? H and C?C, respectively, on the surface of the GTR powder. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis further confirmed the presence of oxygen containing polar functional groups on the surface of the GTR powder after atmospheric plasma treatment. The improvement in tensile strength and tear strength was observed for the modified GTR‐filled NBR vulcanizates, which is attributed to the enhanced interfacial interaction between modified GTR and NBR matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effects of shear stress and subcritical water on devulcanization of styrene–butadiene rubber based ground tire rubber in a twin‐screw extruder

The devulcanization reaction of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) based ground tire rubber (GTR) in GTR/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) blend was investigated through a compound‐induced reaction by increasing screw rotation speed and being in the presence of subcritical water. The effects of temperature, pressure, screw rotation speed, or promoting agents on the gel content, Mooney viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectra of the sol of the devulcanized blends (devulcanized ground tire rubber (DGTR)/EPDM) were measured, and the mechanical properties and microstructures of the revulcanized blend ((DGTR/EPDM)/SBR) were characterized. The results show that subcritical water as a swelling agent and reaction medium promotes the devulcanization reaction, increases the selectivity of the crosslink breakage, keeps the extrusion material from oxidative degradation, reduces the gel particle size of the devulcanized blends, and significantly improves the mechanical properties of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends. In subcritical water, the suitable promoting agents (alkylphenol polysulfide 450, hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂, or 450/H₂O₂) accelerate the devulcanization reaction, keep the double bond content, and lead to further decrease of the gel content and Mooney viscosity of the devulcanized blends and further increase of the mechanical properties of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends. Especially the compound promoting agent (450/H₂O₂) improves the selectivity of the crosslink breakage in devulcanization of SBR‐based GTR. When 450/H₂O₂ is added as a compound promoting agent at the best reaction condition in subcritical water (200°C, 1.6 MPa and 1000 rpm), the tensile strength and elongation at break of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends reach to 85.4% and 201% of vulcanized SBR (24.0 MPa, 356%), respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1845–1854, 2013     

Study on the morphology,static and dynamic mechanical properties of (styrene butadiene rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer/organoclay) nanocomposites vulcanized by the gamma radiation

Blends of styrene‐butadiene rubber/ethylene–propylene‐diene monomer (SBR/EPDM) with and without organoclay (OC) were prepared by melt mixing method. Then the samples were vulcanized by gamma radiation in comparison to conventional sulfur curing system. Characterization by X‐ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy, and Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the intercalation structure and good dispersion of the OC in prepared nanocomposites. In addition to this, by increasing the absorbed dose of radiation and using OC, reduction in solvent uptake, increase in crosslink density and improvement of mechanical and dynamic–mechanical properties were observed. Comparison of the tensile strength of irradiated nanocomposite with the sulfur cured one's displayed the synergistic effect of the OC and gamma radiation on tensile properties of SBR/EPDM blend. Mooney–Rivlin plot confirmed the increase in crosslink density and interaction between rubbers due to presence of OC and increasing absorbed dose. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43581.     

Effect of dicumyl peroxide and phenolic resin as a mixed curing system on the mechanical properties and morphology of TPVs based on HDPE/ground tire rubber

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a special group of thermoplastic elastomer with the characteristic that consists of rubber elasticity and the processability of thermoplastic polymers. TPVs based on high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ground tire rubber (GTR) with phenolic resin (HY‐2045) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as vulcanizing agents are prepared through dynamic vulcanization in this article. The blends consisting of 40/60 HDPE/GTR are melt‐mixed in an internal mixer and then pressed with a compression molding machine. The aim of this experiment is to study the influence of a compound curing agent system on the mechanical properties of the HDPE/GTR composites. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the HDPE/GTR blends are improved significantly by adding 4 phr HY‐2045 and 0.3 phr DCP than those of TPVs without any vulcanizing agents after dynamic vulcanization. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy study and the FTIR‐ATR analysis confirmed that the crosslinking phenomenon occurred in the preparation of TPVs; and the gel fraction analysis indicates that the GTR components and the HDPE components of the HDPE/GTR blends are all moderately crosslinked. In addition, the morphology of the HDPE/GTR blends has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1907–1916, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Optimization of properties in a rubber compound containing a ternary polymer blend using response surface methodology

In order to find the best combination of three synthetic rubbers, that is, styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) grade 1712, SBR grade 1721 and high‐1,4‐cis polybutadiene, that produce a compound with specific end‐use properties, a statistical experimental design is proposed in this work. The design consists of ten mixtures containing specific amounts of total styrene and BR content. A number of properties are tested in each mixture, selecting those related to requirements for the tread of a high performance tire: glass transition temperature (T_g), the ratio between the viscous modulus and the elastic modulus (tanδ@60 °C), Mooney viscosity, and the tensile properties. The values obtained for each property are fit to statistically significant models, obtaining the respective response surfaces. These are next used to define a desirable formulation with the optimal ratio of each rubber, and finally the optimized formulation is validated by comparing the experimental and predicted values for each modeled property. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46548.     

Processing optimization of latex‐compounded montmorillonite/styrene‐butadiene rubber–polybutadiene rubber

Organo‐montmorillonite was incorporated into model tire tread formulations through latex compounding methods, to evaluate its effects on elastomer reinforcement and dynamic properties. An intercalation structure was obtained by applying latex compounding method to prepare organoclay‐emulsion stryene butadiene (E‐SBR) masterbatches, for compounding with organoclay loading levels of 0–20 parts per hundred rubber (phr). Microstructure, curing properties and tire performance of the compounded rubber were investigated with the aid of X‐ray diffraction, rheometor and dynamic‐mechanical analysis, respectively. The results showed that organo‐montmorillonite filler provided effective reinforcement in the elastomer matrix, as indicated through mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. Tread compounds using higher organoclay loadings displayed preferred ice traction, wet traction, and dry handling, but decreased winter traction and rolling resistance. Model compounds using 15 phr of organoclay loading levels were preferred for balanced physical and dynamic properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41521.     

Microwave devulcanization of ground tire rubber and applicability in SBR compounds

Rubber recycling is a major environmental challenge, as their covalently crosslinked structure makes it impossible to reprocess via conventional polymer processing technologies. Devulcanization of rubber waste, whereby crosslinks are selectively broken, may provide a solution, as it allows it to be remolded into new shapes. We used two types of ground tire rubbers (GTRs) for this study; mechanically ground and waterjet-milled GTRs with different particle sizes. First, we revealed the effects of GTR particle size on the devulcanization process. We examined the sol content of the samples before and after devulcanization with two different microwave ovens, a power-controlled conventional one, and a temperature-controlled laboratory oven. In the latter one, heating rate and maximum temperature were controlled. We studied the effects of temperature, atmosphere in which the rubber was treated, heating rate, and holding time at maximum temperature. We prepared styrene-butadiene rubber-based rubber compounds containing GTR and optimally devulcanized GTR (dGTR_WJ). The physical and mechanical properties of the samples were assessed. The results indicate that both GTR_WJ and dGTR_WJ have an accelerating and a mildly softening effect on curing and dGTR_WJ has a less significant negative effect on mechanical properties: 15 phr GTR_WJ has the same effect as 45 phr dGTR_WJ. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Applied Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48351.     

The toughening effect and mechanism of styrene‐butadiene rubber nanoparticles for novolac resin

In this article, phenolic nanocomposites were prepared using styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 60 nm as the toughening agent. The mechanical and thermal properties of phenolic nanocomposites and the toughening mechanism were studied thoroughly. The results showed that when adding 2.5 wt % SBR nanoparticles, the notched impact strength of phenolic nanocomposites reached the maximum value and was increased by 52%, without sacrificing the flexural performance. Meanwhile, SBR nanoparticles had no significant effect on the thermal decomposition temperature of phenolic nanocomposites. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of phenolic nanocomposites shifted to a lower temperature accompanying with the increasing T_g of loaded SBR, which showed there was a certain compatibility between SBR nanoparticles and phenol‐formaldehyde resin (PF). Furthermore, the analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that there existed a weak chemical interaction between SBR nanoparticles and the PF matrix. The certain compatibility and weak chemical interaction promoted the formation of a transition layer and improved the interfacial bonding, which might be important reasons for the great enhancement of the toughness for phenolic nanocomposites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41533.     

Formulation and morphology of kaolin-filled rubber composites

In the present work the formulation and morphology of novel kaolin-filled rubber composites were investigated. The kaolin-filled rubber composites were obtained by filling rubbers such as natural rubber (NR), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (ER), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR) and methyl vinyl silicon rubber (MVQ). The best formulation of filled rubbers was determined by determining the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. Structural characterization was carried out by using infrared spectroscopy (IR) and a polarizing light microscope (PLM). The kaolin/rubber composites have outstanding mechanical and thermal properties except elongation at break, and good compatibility. The best formulation of kaolin filled rubbers is respectively 40 parts per hundred rubber (phr), 40 phr, 50 phr, 40 phr, 50 phr, and 50 phr for NR, SBR, BR, NBR, EPDM and CR. Kaolin can replace silica in the specific rubber products, and is suitable to reinforce more steric rigid rubber.