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TECHNOLOGY
Recycled Rubber Compounding for Tyre Use
Minneapolis, USA, based rubber researchers at TC Rubber Inc. (TCR,) claims to have developed an innovative process that allows recycled rubber to be re- incorporated into new tyre compounds. In fact, they claim success with a 50 per cent inclusion of their TC1302 compound.
TC 1302 – An Innovative Compounding Technology
TC 1302, a finished compound that replaces a virgin compound, is now available for use in a variety of commercial applications. TC 1302 is based on 20 years of extensive product research and development, as well as field trials and product testing conducted by third parties. TCR’s goal originally was to test the feasibility of introducing recycled rubber into virgin compound and producing products with high
specifications. This goal has been achieved with remarkable results, says the company.
TC 1302 is a crumb rubber derived from the tread of truck tyres without fabric or metal particle contamination. Combine the crumb with proprietary chemicals, and we produce a fully finished rubber compound. These successful results are based on the conclusions of U.S. manufacturers and those overseas. For example, Tun Abdul Razack Research Centre (TARRC), based in the United Kingdom, is a globally accredited research institute funded by the Malaysian government. TARRC tested TC 1302 with multiple recycled rubber compounds. TRC’s product out-performed all others by a wide margin.
TC 1302, a green product with environmental benefits, is a finished compound that enhances virgin rubber products. The US federal government has mandated recycling old rubber into new rubber products. Those uses today include retread tyres on postal vehicles, government automobiles and trucks, military vehicles, school buses, etc.
Most rubber products are discarded because the product has reached the end of its functional life. This is not because the material has lost it properties. Tyres and shoes are discarded when their tread patterns have worn down,
rendering the product functionally ineffective. The remaining material may still have retained most of its original properties. With effective chemical treatment, the remaining material can be reused with properties comparable to the original material properties.
Issues with the Current Process
Manufacturers can realise sound economic and financial rewards by using TC 1302. Unfortunately, most compounds are limited in the amount of recycled rubber that can be used because the
recyclate is added in simply as an inert filler. Compounds, generally, cannot absorb more than 5-10 per cent recyclate before a significant decrease in properties is noticed. Using such small amounts of recyclate offers minimal cost benefits and no performance advantage. Processing can also become a problem since the recyclate is essentially a fully reacted material.
Crumb rubber in rubber products is nowadays used in greater amounts than in the past. But once again, manufacturers,
to date, use crumb rubber as non-active filler. There are tyre manufacturers using crumb rubber at only the 5 – 8 per cent level. Mud flaps, mats, bed liners, bumpers and traffic cones are produced with great success with devulcanised or reclaimed rubber. However, the properties of the part virgin - part recycled precision rubber parts will suffer with low tensile strength, decreased tear strength and poor abrasion.