Abstract:
Blending of recycled scrap rubber such as reclaimed rubber with virgin rubber
has increased over the last few years, especially in the manufacture of tyre
components. The reason for this is the growing concern about the effect of
rubber product waste on the environment and the rise in the costs of virgin
rubbers. In this study, physicomechanical properties such as tensile properties,
tear strength, hardness, resilience, abrasion resistance, ageing performance,
and swelling behaviour as well as carbon black dispersion rating of 85/15 virgin
NRinovel reclaimed ground rubber tyre (GRT) revulcanisates were evaluated and
compared with those of control vulcanisates. Results revealed that the abrasion
volume loss of blends of virgin NR and novel reclaimed rubber revulcanisates
is lower than that of revulcanisate prepared with a blend of 85/15 virgin NRI
reclaimed rubber (Control (Rec)), produced locally, and comparable with that of
100% NR vulcanisate (Control (NR)).Although the tensile strength and elongation
at break of the virgin NRinovel reclaimed rubber revulcanisates are lower than
those of the Control (NR) vulcanisate, these values are at a level acceptable for
tyre treads. Hence, the 85/15 virgin NRinovel reclaimed rubber revulcanisates
prepared with the readily available, low-cost, environmentally friendly amino
compound can be used as an alternative to the Control (NR) and Control (Rec)
vulcanisates in tyre treads.