DEVULCANIZATION OF RECYCLED TIRE RUBBER CRUMB WITH SUPERCRITICAL CO_2: CURING BEHAVIOR, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND DEGREE OF DEVULCANIZATION

摘要

In this work the devulcanization of tire rubber crumb was studied by using an industrial scale twin screw extruder. A reasonably high throughput extrusion process has been developed and the effect of processing conditions has been studied. The effects of different screw configurations, screw speed and feed rate on the stability of process have been investigated. Crosslink density and percent of devulcanization of different samples are measured. Curing behavior, tensile strength, and elongation at break of different compounds consisting of blends of virgin rubber with devulcanized crumb have also been evaluated.