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Analyzing Thermal Degradation Effects on Devulcanized GTR-Based NR/SBR/NBR Rubber Compounds Reinforced with SiO2
Xavier Colom1, Laia Farrés1, Ramon Mujal2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona Tech, C/Colom, 1, 08222 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
Polymers
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Recycling tires is challenging due to elastomer crosslinking. Devulcanized ground tire rubber (dGTR) can be reused, but higher dGTR content increases brittleness after degradation due to induced crosslinking.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Engineering
Background:
- Annual tire production necessitates advanced recycling methods for elastomers, hindered by crosslinking.
- Devulcanization offers a solution, enabling the reuse of ground tire rubber (GTR) in new rubber compounds.
- Understanding the impact of devulcanized GTR (dGTR) on material properties and degradation is crucial for effective tire recycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of incorporating devulcanized ground tire rubber (dGTR) into natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) formulations.
- To analyze the influence of silica (SiO2) and a silane coupling agent (TESPT) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of recycled rubber compounds under accelerated degradation.
- To evaluate the degradation behavior and resulting mechanical properties of rubber blends containing varying dGTR content.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of rubber blends with varying proportions of dGTR (0, 10, 20, 40 phr) and SiO2.
- Subjecting samples to accelerated degradation for extended periods (0–240 h).
- Microstructural analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Mechanical properties testing to assess material performance.
Main Results:
- Spectroscopic and thermal analyses revealed aggregate formation between dGTR, silica, and silane, influencing material properties and degradation.
- Accelerated degradation led to increased brittleness in samples with up to 20 phr dGTR, attributed to induced crosslinking.
- The presence of SiO2 and TESPT impacted the interaction and aggregation within the rubber matrix.
Conclusions:
- Devulcanization allows for the incorporation of GTR into new rubber products, but degradation effects must be managed.
- The interaction between dGTR, silica, and silane significantly affects the microstructure and mechanical performance of recycled rubber composites.
- Further research into optimizing dGTR content and formulation is needed to mitigate degradation-induced brittleness and enhance the viability of tire recycling.
