Preliminary investigation on auto-thermal extrusion of ground tire rubber

Abstract

Ground tire rubber (GTR) was processed using an auto-thermal extrusion as prerequisite to green reclaiming of GTR. The reclaimed GTR underwent a series of tests: thermogravimetric analysis combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and static headspace and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC-MS) in order to evaluate the impact of barrel heating solution (with/without external barrel heating) on reclaiming process of GTR. Moreover, samples were cured to assess the impact of reclaiming heating solution on curing characteristics and physico-mechanical properties. Detailed analysis of the results indicated that the heat supplied by the machinery was replaced by energy generated due to the high shearing phenomenon, what significantly influenced energy consumption and hereby lowered processing cost