Recycling Rubber Projects

By the application of heat and chemical agents followed by intense mechanical working to ground vulcanised scrap or worn out rubber  tires,  tubes and waste rubber articles, a substantial regeneration on devulcanisation of the rubber compound to its original plastic state is effected, thus permitting the  product to be compounded, processed and revulcanised. Reclaiming is essentially depolymerisation and misnomerically called "devulcanisation"  although combined sulphur is not removed. By this depolymerisation, the reclaimed rubber shows decreased resistance to deformation at ordinary temperature; thus loosing its elastic nature and become less resistant to compression, stretching or swelling. Reclaimed rubber was born because a secondary source of rubber was urgently needed. Entire rubber industry was growing so fast in the early days and there was  no enough  crude rubber to substantiate the demand. Reclaim  rubber soon become indispensable. Apart from this, tire pose a disposal problem and therefore utilized as basic raw material in the form of ground vulcanised waste (crumb  rubber) or converted  to reusable  state-reclaimed rubber. Because of short break-down and mixing time, the power consumption during break-down and mixing, low temperature required in calendering and extrusion, non-critical calendering temperature  penetration to fabric,  tack improvement,  minimising sulphur   bloom, forming of uncurved stock, low swelling and shrinkage on extrusion and calendering, low thermoplasticity, high rate of cure and cheaper rubber/filler are important considerations in the mind of the compounder in  deciding  upon regular use of reclaim for low cost, energy, conservation and efficient processing steps even with new generation polymers to achieve desired  optimum properties. Reclaimed rubber is primarily used in the manufacture of cycle tyres, Rickshaw tyres, Battery Boxes, Automobile tyres and other moulded rubber  goods.