Thermoplastic elastomers including ground tyre rubber in a thermoplastic matrix

Abstract

Disposal of end of life tyres is regulated in many countries. The enormous amount produced every year needs the research of new ways of recycling. A common practice previous to any treatment is the grinding of the tyres by specialized companies producing ground tyre rubber powder. Several attempts to include this powder in polymeric matrixes have been developed, mainly resulting in a lack of compatibility of the components. In this paper we propose a new composite including GTR and EPDM in a HDPE matrix. The use of peroxides to produce crosslinking produces a thermoelastomeric material suitable for industrial applications.