Devulcanization of natural rubber compounds by extrusion using thermoplastics and characterization of revulcanized compounds

Rafael Barbosa & José Donato Ambrósio

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Abstract

Rubber recycling is a subject of high interest, regarding the complexity to develop a feasible method for material recovery without main chain degradation. In this research, Natural Rubber compounds were thermomechanically devulcanized in a continuous way through a co-rotating and intermeshing twin-screw extruder. Four process parameters were evaluated: screw rotation speed, barrel temperature, sulfur concentration and auxiliary thermoplastics (PP or EVA). Devulcanized samples were characterized by their soluble fraction, crosslink density, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), demonstrating the rising of free natural rubber chains concentration after extrusion. Horikx theory was also used for qualitative analysis. The samples were revulcanized with or without virgin rubber compound addition and characterized by tensile, hardness and dynamic-mechanical tests (DMA). Better mechanical performances were achieved using thermoplastics due to greater second phase incorporation confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compounds extruded with EVA showed even better properties retention, with values around 86% for tensile strength, 110% for elongation at break and 99% for hardness, indicating this material as a promising assistant in vulcanized rubber recycling.