Properties of Rubber Compounds Containing Powdered Vulcanized Waste

Powdered vulcanized rubber waste generated in a factory was examined as a compounding additive in natural rubber compounds and in blends of natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber. The cure characteristics were evaluat-ed with the Monsanto Oscillating Disc Rheometer while tensile sheets were prepared and stress-strain measurements in simple extension were used to characterize the mechanical properties of the vulcanized elastomers. In all the vulcanizates examined, the incorporation of rubber waste resulted in a slight deterioration of properties. The deterioration of properties is attributed tQ the poor interfacial bonding between the rubber waste and the virgin matrix elastomer. Also, it was found that at low volume loading, the vulcanized waste has no adverse effect on vulcanizate properties. Key Words: rubber waste, compounding, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubbe