Study and comparison on mechanical properties of various polymers reinforced with ground tires rubber (GTR)

Abstract

The recycling of worn tires is a big challenge nowadays and it is necessary for environmental and economic reasons: mass production of tires, as well as the difficult storage or elimination is a real environmental problem. Various methods for recycling tires are currently used, such as mechanical grinding, which puts vulcanized rubber, steel and fibers apart. The rubber may be used in several industrial applications as flooring, insulations, footwear, etc. The aim of this paper focuses on finding a new application for the old used tires (GTR). Tires dust and 7 different polymers have been mixed, and we have checked the maximum accepted values of GTR that can be admitted while keeping mechanical properties within acceptable values, as well as initial polymer microstructure. This would allow including GTR in industrial applications of recycled polymers. The recycled tire dust which results from the industrial milling processes has been divided by categories according to the size of the particles. This has been mixed with different polymers, in different GTR concentrations in order to establish its conduct through mechanical test. With the present study it is intended to give a second outlet to the tires out of use, demonstrating the feasibility of the mechanical properties analyzed.