Status, challenges and future requirements for a circular economy of rubber

Description

One of the specific characteristics of elastomers is the three-dimensional polymer-polymer network, allowing to tailor the property profile of rubber in terms of durability and elasticity, to mention only a few. Besides this polymer-polymer network, a very stable filler-polymer network is part of silica-silane reinforced elastomers. A consequence of this stable network is the difficulty to recycle this material, and a comparative evaluation of different processes and products for recycling of rubber will made.
Rubber cannot be remoulded, as thermoplastics can. To make it reprocessable, the network has to be destroyed, with the polymer remaining intact as far as possible. It is a major challenge to find the right balance between polymer and crosslink scission, and the process needs to be tailored for the different types of rubber used as feedstock. In this lecture, the optimization of the process conditions will be discussed at the example of a silica-silane reinforced tire rubber.
Pyrolysis is another technology for recycling of rubber, with one of the products being a carbon-based filler. The latter can be reused in new rubber products, though it does not match the composition and quality of virgin carbon black. These two types of carbon-based fillers will be compared concerning their basic properties and application.

Period	16 May 2024
Event title	MPG and Elastomer Group Joint Seminar 2024: Elastomers in Manufacturing
Event type	Seminar
Location	Manchester , United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National