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

Abstract

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

Interfacial adhesion evaluation in (low‐density polyethylene)/elastomer blends

“…This observation suggests only partial miscibility of crosslinked butyl rubber with PE matrix. A similar observation was described in our previous works .…”

Interfacially modified LDPE/GTR composites with non-polar elastomers: From microstructure to macro-behavior

“…Such considerable shift in the E 00 peak can be related to the reduction of average crosslink density of elastomer in the amorphous phase, caused by partial cross-linking of Kalar ® [28]. It is also evident that incorporation of SBS copolymer (Kraton ® ) in LDPE/GTR composites has shifted the maximum of E 00 towards higher temperatures, which suggests enhancement of interfacial interactions between LDPE and GTR caused by compatibilization.…”

Investigating the combined impact of plasticizer and shear force on the efficiency of low temperature reclaiming of ground tire rubber (GTR)

“…It should be mentioned that phenomenon of GTR encapsulation with elastomers, e.g. styrene-butadienestyrene copolymer [27,48], ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber [49], butyl rubber [50], ethylene-octene copolymer [51], trans-polyoctylene rubber [52] or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer [53], was also observed and described by several independent research groups. Table 2.…”