Evaluation of the Effect of the Incorporation of Rubber Tire Waste Particles on the Properties of PP, HIPS and PP/HIPS Matrices

Abstract

Abstract:In recent years, the consumption of plastics has been increasing and as consequence, the waste generated has also increased. Rubber tire (RT) waste is another residue which causes significant problems to society. In view of the considerable amounts of RT waste generated, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of RT particles into post-consumer thermoplastic matrices such as polypropylene (PP), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and PP/HIPS blends and the modification of the physical, morphological, rheological and mechanical properties. The particle sizes of the RT used were <500 and 500-1000 µm. The RT content was 10% w/w and the weight ratio for the PP/HIPS blend was 4/1, with processing by injection molding. The results showed that the smaller (500 µm) particle size led to a decrease in the melt flow rate (MFR) of the PP/RT composites (increased viscosity) and an increase for the HIPS/RT composites. On the other hand, the larger particles (1000 µm) led to a decrease in the mechanical performance of the PP/RT and HIPS/RT blends when compared with the neat polymers (PP and HIPS post-consumer). The observed decrease in the mechanical properties of these composites was due to weak filler/matrix interactions, which can be visualized in images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surface after tensile testing.

Effect of the Recycled Rubber on the Properties of Recycled Rubber/Recycled Polypropylene Blends

“…Therefore a reduction in the RPP content increases the density. This result correlates with the SEM analysis, because presences of voids in these materials were not observed and an increase in voids would cause a reduction in the density [14].…”

“…These behaviors, were expected and they are according with results obtained for Young's modulus, since with the increasing of rubber in the blends, the elasticity also has to increase. The elongation at break values obtained in this study are higher than reported by other authors, who employed rubber with particle size of 500 (17.9 %) and 1000 µm (10 %) in blends of rubber and PP [14]. The difference to the result obtained in this study was due to the proportions of rubber and PP, rubber particle size employed in this study and filler content present in RPP and RR.…”

“…The RPP, exhibited a ductile fracture. This fracture type has been observed for other authors [14]. Furthermore this sample presented granules, which are due to fillers (usually calcium carbonate).…”

Incorporation of a recycled rubber compound from the shoe industry in polystyrene: Effect of SBS compatibilizer content

“…There are several studies in the literature [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] on the development of thermoplastic blends with residues of rubber tires and footwear, being reinforced mainly with carbon black filler, resulting in dark-colored materials. However, studies using white rubber vulcanized styrene-butadiene (SBR) in the development of blends with PS as polymer matrixes are practically nonexistent.…”

Blends of Polystyrene/Shoes Waste (SBRr): Influence of Mixture Sequence and Compatibilizer

“…Thus, some recent studies were reported in the literature about the development of polymer blends based on rubber waste and polystyrene . Most of the published papers deals with the reuse of rubber waste tire and no paper was found exploring the influence of the mixing sequence of twin screw extruders.…”