Thermochemical compatibilization of reclaimed tire rubber/ poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blend using electron beam irradiation and amine-based chemical

Abstract

Waste tire rubber is commonly recycled by blending with other polymers. However, the mechanical properties of these blends were poor due to lack of adhesion between the matrix and the waste tire rubber. In this research, the use of electron beam irradiation and (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxy silane (APTES) on enhancing the performance of 50 wt% reclaimed tire rubber (RTR) blend with 50 wt% poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) was investigated. Preparation of RTR/EVA blends were carried out in the internal mixer. The blends were then exposed to electron beam (EB) irradiation at doses ranging from 50 to 200 kGy. APTES loading was varied between 1 to 10 wt%. The processing, morphological, mechanical, and calorimetric properties of the blends were investigated. The stabilization torque and total mixing energy was higher in compatibilized blends. Mechanical properties of RTR/EVA blends were improved due to efficiency of APTES in further reclaiming the RTR and compatibilizing the blends. APTES improved the dispersion of embedded smaller RTR particles in EVA matrix and crosslinking efficiency of the blends. Calorimetric studies showed increased crystallinity in compatibilized blends which corresponds to improved mechanical properties. However, the ductility of the blend was decreased due to increased interaction between EVA and APTES. Presence of APTES increased the efficiency of electron beam irradiation induced crosslinking which was shown through gel content analysis and Charlesby-Pinner equation.

GTR/Thermoplastics Blends: How Do Interfacial Interactions Govern Processing and Physico-Mechanical Properties?

“…Other researchers have mentioned that even compatibilization of GTR/LLDPE (or HDPE) blends with the composition of GTR reaching up to 70 wt.% are not representative of a significant improvement in mechanical properties [36]. Irradiation of compatibilized blends of GTR with EVA (50/50 blend) also makes the blend brittle, even though the dispersion of rubber domains in the EVA matrix can be improved [37]. Overall, the formation of GTR domains surrounded by thermoplastic in the case of 50/50 systems was highly likely, whereas in levels above 50 wt.%, GTR played the role of dominant phase as it controlled the flow and properties such as melt strength and flow behavior of thermoplastics (see Table 2).…”

“…Other researchers have mentioned that even compatibilization of GTR/LLDPE (or HDPE) blends with the composition of GTR reaching up to 70 wt.% are not representative of a significant improvement in mechanical properties [36]. Irradiation of compatibilized blends of GTR with EVA (50/50 blend) also makes the blend brittle, even though the dispersion of rubber domains in the EVA matrix can be improved [37].…”

Improving the Performance of Wood Adhesive with Waste Rubber Tire

“…A waste tire is vulcanized rubber waste that cannot be easily reprocessed and recycled. Several methods were used for the disposal of a waste tires including incineration [3], landfilling [4,5], and reclaiming [6,7]. However, it has been known that incineration and landfilling can cause many problems for the environment by releasing greenhouse gases in the air, reducing biodiversity, and contaminating the environment by leaching soluble toxic components into the soil/or water, respectively.…”

Recycling NR/SBR waste using probe sonication as a new devulcanizing method; study on influencing parameters

“…Some methods were used for elimination of waste tire rubbers that include burning as a heat source, 9 landfilling, 10,11 reclaiming 12–14 etc. It has been known that burning and landfilling of tire rubbers impact environment by releasing greenhouse gases ( i.e.…”