Use of rubber and bentonite added fly ash as a liner material

In many countries regulations require all hazardous waste disposal facilities to be lined with suitable impermeable barriers to protect against contamination. In this study, a series of laboratory tests on rubber and bentonite added fly ash were conducted. The aim of the tests was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing fly ash, rubber and bentonite as a low hydraulic conductivity liner material. Type C fly ash was obtained from Soma thermal power plant in Turkey; rubber in pulverized form was waste from the retreading industry. To investigate the properties of rubber and bentonite added fly ash, hydraulic conductivity, leachate analysis, unconfined compression, split tensile strength, one-dimensional consolidation, swell and freeze/thaw cycle tests were performed. The overall evaluation of results have revealed that rubber and bentonite added fly ash showed good promise and a candidate for construction of a liner.     

Mechanical and durability properties of insulation mortar with rubber powder from waste tires

Fine rubber particles from scrap tires can be used as an insulation material by incorporating with Portland cement mortar. In addition to thermal properties, there are special mechanical and durability properties that are important for the insulation mortar. The addition of rubber particles has negative impact on these properties. The special properties for insulation mortar can be improved using cellulose ether, redispersible polymer powder (RPP), and wood fiber. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of these additives and the rubber powder on the properties of rubberized insulation mortar. With increasing rubber content, both flexural strength and compressive strength were reduced, but the reduction of flexural strength was not as significant as for the compressive strength. At a fixed rubber content, as the optimal amount of RPP and smaller rubber powder were used, the compressive strength of rubberized mortar satisfied the minimum requirement of the type N mortar. The drying shrinkage of the rubber mortar was about the same as the ordinary cement mortar. The permeability of the rubber mortar was low comparing with that of the ordinary cement mortar. The bond strength of the rubber mortar is low due to the reduced effective bonding surface.     

Use of waste rubber as concrete additive.

For resource reutilization, scrap tyres have long been investigated as an additive to concrete to form 'Rubcrete' for various applications and have shown promising results. However, the addition of rubber particles leads to the degradation of physical properties, particularly, the compressive strength of the concrete. In this study, a theoretical model was proposed to shed light on the mechanisms of decrease in compressive strength due to the addition of rubber particles as well as improvement in compressive strength through modification of particle surfaces. The literature suggests that the compressive strength can be improved by soaking the rubber particles in alkaline solution first to increase the inter-phase bonding between the rubber particles and cement. Instead, we discovered that the loss in compressive strength was due to local imperfections in the hydration of cement, induced by the addition of heterogeneous and hydrophobic rubber particles. Microscopic studies showed that the rubber particles disturbed the water transfer to create channels, which were prone to cracking and led to a loss in the compressive strength. Unexpectedly, no cracking was found along the surfaces of the rubber particles, indicating that the bonding strength between the rubber particles and cement phases was not the critical factor in determining the compressive strength. Therefore, a theoretical model was proposed to describe the water transfer in the Rubcrete specimens to explain the experimental data. In the model, the local water available for hydration (Q) is: Q = -A(slv)/6piv, where Q, A(slv), and v are mass flow rate (kg s(-1)), Hamaker constant (J), and dynamic viscosity (m2 s(-1)), respectively. By maximizing the quantity Q and, in turn, the Hamaker constant A(slv), the compressive strength could be improved. The Hamaker constant A(slv) for water film on rubber particle surfaces was smaller than that for the hydrated cement particles; the water transfer rate was lower in the presence of rubber particles because the Hamaker constant A(slv) for water film on rubber particle surfaces was smaller than that on the hydrated cement particles. Thus, the compressive strength of Rubcrete could be improved by increasing the Hamaker constant of the system. This was achieved by increasing the refractive indices of the solids (n(s)). The refractive indices of materials increase with increases in functional groups, such as OH and SH on the surface. The model provided a possible mechanism for the efficacy of treating rubber particles with NaOH in improving the compressive strength. By using NaOH solution treatment, an oxygen-containing OH group was formed on the rubber surface to increase the Hamaker constant of the system, leading to higher compressive strength. Based on this mechanism, a novel method for modification of the rubber particles was also proposed. In this process, the rubber particles were partially oxidized with hot air/steam in a fluidized bed reactor to produce the hydrophilic groups on the surface of the particles. Preliminary results obtained so far are promising in accordance with the theory.     

Experimental study of rubber tire aggregates effect on compressive and dynamic load-bearing properties of cylindrical concrete specimens

Sustainable development has become a major focus for engineers and planners as part of their collective efforts in finding, developing and integrating environmental-friendly solutions for material recycling and waste management into design and construction of civil engineering infrastructure. In the past three decades, there has been an increase in recycling and application of waste materials into the concrete to decrease costs and improve material properties of the concrete. Significant growth in automobile manufacturing industry and increased rubber tire supply for vehicles suggested the application of waste tire particles as concrete aggregates to minimize the ecological footprint of the rubber tire waste due to its recycling process difficulties. In this paper, the effect of rubber tire particles on compressive and dynamic strength of concrete specimens with different particle percentiles was tested on more than 55 cylindrical specimens. To achieve the optimal mix design properties of rubber tire concrete specimens, both fine and coarse aggregates got replaced by fine and coarse rubber particles. Introduction of rubber tire particles as coarse and fine aggregate reduces the brittleness of the concrete and provides more flexible aggregate bonding which ultimately improves the dynamic resistance of the concrete. It increases the concrete workability and provides environmental-friendly and cost-effective solutions in using recycled materials for concrete construction applications.     

The Biodegradation of Latex Rubber: A Minireview

Natural rubber is used for the production of adhesives, latex gloves, tubing and tires. This widespread use is accompanied with an extensive generation of waste rubber material. In many parts of the world, especially industrialized countries, this has prompted legislation to be passed to govern the proper disposal of rubber waste. Even so, the recycling of this polymer is not widely practiced. This review looks at the useful bacteria capable of degrading this recalcitrant polymer. Furthermore we review the mechanism of action and the identification of rubber degrading genes. Clearly, a deep understanding of this biodegradative process at the biochemical and genetic level exists and should prompt the instigation of this knowledge in biotechnological applications.     

Processing and Characterization of Recycled Polypropylene and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Blends

In this paper investigation on thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) derived from waste polypropylene (WPP) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) are reported. The WPP was segregated, cleaned, dried and melt processed with NBR at 180 °C in a Brabender Plasticorder at different blend ratios. TPV was prepared by dynamic vulcanization of the TPE with conventional sulfur accelerator curing system. The mechanical properties measured were found to decrease with increase in NBR proportion in the blend; however the dynamic vulcanization of the nitrile rubber phase enhanced the strength properties of the corresponding TPE. The crystallinity of the WPP reduced with increase in NBR ratio. The dynamic modulus decreased with nitrile rubber content in the TPE. Interestingly, the storage modulus of the TPV at higher rubber content enhanced significantly and damping characteristics increased sharply. The rheology studies reveal that the damping of the blend has been reduced with the addition of high storage modulus rubber at melt processing conditions and hence increased viscosity. The amorphous rubber content with higher storage modulus imparts higher viscosity for the polypropylene (PP) matrix at the processing temperature. The SEM study reveals that the dynamic vulcanization of the rubber phase in the blend caused a smoother and finer surface morphology.     

Investigating mechanical properties and durability of concrete containing recycled rubber ash and fibers

This article investigates the suitability of utilizing end of life rubber tyre particles in concrete as fine aggregate. Rubber ash and rubber fibers were used to develop two series of rubber ash concrete (series I) and hybrid concrete (series II) mixes. The natural fine aggregate was replaced by rubber ash (by volume of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) in series I; whereas in series II, the amount of rubber ash was kept constant at 10% and rubber fiber was introduced as replacement of fine aggregate (by volume of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). The concrete mixes were evaluated for compressive strength, flexural strength, resistance to impact loading, fatigue loading, water penetration and shrinkage strain was evaluated. It was observed that inclusion of rubber ash resulted in the improvement of impact resistance of concrete. The results also show that up to 10% rubber ash and rubber fibers can be utilized as fine aggregate to develop feasible and durable rubberized concrete pavements, crash barriers and paver blocks.

     

我国废橡胶粉用于沥青改性的研究及应用

从道路建设与防水卷材制造两方面,描述了我国废橡胶粉在沥青改性用途中的研究及应用现状。大量国内试验及应用实例表明,与普通石油沥青相比,胶粉改性沥青的针入度、延度、软化点、温度敏感性、稳定性和抗老化性等性能均得到了改善。此外,较之其他种类的沥青改性剂,废橡胶粉成本低,具有环保与资源节约的优点,对我国循环经济的发展具有重要意义。     

冷冻胶粉粒度对橡胶胶料力学性能的影响

研究了冷冻胶粉粒度对橡胶胶料力学性能的影响,发现添加冷冻胶粉会使胶料的力学性能下降,胶粉粒度越大,胶料性能下降的程度越严重。同时还发现,薄通处理可以改善胶粉的表面活性,减轻胶粉粒度对胶料性能的影响,改善胶料的力学性能。     

New Route for Devulcanization of Natural Rubber and the Properties of Devulcanized Rubber

Devulcanization of natural rubber (NR) compound was carried out by means of benzoyl peroxide as a devulcanizing agent by two different techniques namely (a) chemical process and (b) mechano-chemical process. Furthermore, the effects of time and concentration of devulcanizing agent on the devulcanization process were investigated. The extent of devulcanization of natural rubber was studied by estimation of percent devulcanization, volume fraction of rubber after swelling, Mooney viscosity and crosslinked density. The devulcanized natural rubber obtained from mechano-chemical process was blended with virgin natural rubber in different proportions. The mechanical properties and morphology of the revulcanized blends were examined and found to be interesting. Thus, waste rubber could be reused successfully by this technique.     

Possibility of using waste tire rubber and fly ash with Portland cement as construction materials

The growing amount of waste rubber produced from used tires has resulted in an environmental problem. Recycling waste tires has been widely studied for the last 20 years in applications such as asphalt pavement, waterproofing systems and membrane liners. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing fly ash and rubber waste with Portland cement as a composite material for masonry applications. Class C fly ash and waste automobile tires in three different sizes were used with Portland cement. Compressive and flexural strength, dry unit weight and water absorption tests were performed on the composite specimens containing waste tire rubber. The compressive strength decreased by increasing the rubber content while increased by increasing the fly ash content for all curing periods. This trend is slightly influenced by particle size. For flexural strength, the specimens with waste tire rubber showed higher values than the control mix probably due to the effect of rubber fibers. The dry unit weight of all specimens decreased with increasing rubber content, which can be explained by the low specific gravity of rubber particles. Water absorption decreased slightly with the increase in rubber particles size. These composite materials containing 10% Portland cement, 70% and 60% fly ash and 20% and 30% tire rubber particles have sufficient strength for masonry applications.     

Study of Fatigue Life and Filler Interaction of Paper Sludge Filled Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) and Maleated Natural Rubber (MNR) Composites

An investigation on the effect of epoxidation and maleated natural rubber (MNR) on fatigue and rubber-filler interaction properties of paper sludge filled natural rubber composites was elucidated. Paper sludge loading was varied from 0 to 40 phr and conventional vulcanisation system was used while compounding was carried out on a laboratory sized two roll mill. Two different types of natural rubber, SMR L and ENR 50 having 0 and 50 mole% of epoxidation were used in order to investigate the effect of epoxidation on the composites. Results indicate that, at a fixed filler loading, ENR 50 vulcanizates exhibit higher fatigue life than SMR L vulcanizates especially at filler loading below 20 phr which might be associated with better rubber-filler interaction. In the case of composites with the addition of maleated natural rubber (MNR), a higher fatigue life was observed due to presence of physical and/or chemical linkages, which increases the interfacial adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of fatigue fracture surfaces and rubber-filler interaction study supported the observed result on fatigue life.     

Effect of microsilica addition on compressive strength of rubberized concrete at elevated temperatures

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effects of various percentages of fine/coarse tire waste and microsilica at various temperatures on the compressive strength of concrete. The compressive strength of concrete mixtures made with tire rubber was assessed statistically with those of concrete containing microsilica and conventional concretes in order to evaluate the usefulness of recycling rubber waste as a component of concrete. Results confirmed that the recipe and processing temperature of concrete cubes influence the compressive strength values. Generally, the use of microsilica or fine rubber mixed with microsilica as aggregate replacement of 5% by volume improved the compressive strength of concrete processed at a temperature of 150°C. The addition of coarse rubber did not achieve any increase in strength when used as an aggregate replacement at any percentage. Moreover, the reductions in the compressive strength of concrete mixes at higher temperatures were much smaller for the fine rubber with 5 vol% microsilica than those for control and coarse rubber mixes. The specimens made with fine rubber and 5 vol% microsilica at elevated temperatures above 400°C appeared to show very similar compressive strength values. The use of fine rubber in building construction could help save energy and reduce costs and solve the solid waste disposal problem posed by this type of waste.     

Some Rheological Properties of Latex from Parthenium argentatum Gray Compared with Latex from Hevea brasiliensis and Ficus elastica

Latex was purified from Parthenium argentatum Gray (guayule), Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg. (the Brazilian or para rubber tree), and Ficus elastica Roxb. (the Indian rubber tree) in ammonium alginate at pH 10. The rheological properties of the different latices (rubber particle suspensions) were determined and compared using flow temperature ramps. Latex from all three species became more viscous with increasing rubber particle concentration and decreasing temperature. At any particular temperature and concentration, latex from F. elastica was by far the most viscous, whereas the H. brasiliensis latex was the least viscous. In addition, the tendency for the latex to coagulate increased with increasing temperature and increasing particle concentration. F. elastica latex was highly sensitive to temperature, H. brasiliensis latex was the least sensitive, and P. argentatum latex demonstrated intermediate properties. The underlying causes of these differences in latex rheology are not clear but may partially relate to the particle size (largest in F. elastica and smallest in H. brasiliensis), the particle size distribution, and/or to the considerable differences in the biochemical components of the monolayer biomembrane that surrounds the various rubber particles. Differences in the molecular weight of the rubber contained within the rubber particles seem less likely to play a role because the particles remain intact in this study.     

Biodegradation of Natural Rubber and Natural Rubber Products by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. Strain CFMR 7

The rubber degrading activity of Streptomyces sp. CFMR 7 whose whole genome sequence was recently determined was tested with non-vulcanized fresh latex and common vulcanized rubber products such as latex glove, latex condom and latex car tyre. The degradation activity was unequivocally demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy with respect to microbial colonization efficiency, disintegration of rubber material and biofilm formation after 3, 6 and 9 months of inoculation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy comprising the attenuated total reflectance analysis on these inoculated products revealed insights into the biodegradation mechanism of this strain whereby, a decrease in the number of cis -1,4 double bonds in the polyisoprene chain, the appearance of ketone and aldehyde groups formation indicating an oxidative attack at the double bond of rubber hydrocarbon. In the presence of strain Streptomyces sp. CFMR 7, gel permeation chromatography analysis revealed a significant shift of the molecular weight distribution to lower values. Clear decrease in the molecular weight was observed over 3, 6 and 9 months of cultivation on fresh latex samples compared to other vulcanized products. No shift in the molecular weight distribution was observed for non-inoculated control. These results clearly showed that Streptomyces sp. CFMR 7 was able to cleave the carbon backbone of poly (cis -1,4-isoprene). Although this strain was able to degrade both non-vulcanized and vulcanized rubber products, faster degradation was obtained with natural rubber and rubber products with low complexity.     

Utilization of waste tire rubber in manufacture of oriented strandboard

Some physical and mechanical properties of oriented strandboards (OSBs) containing waste tire rubber at various addition levels based on the oven-dry strand weight, using the same method as that used in the manufacture of OSB. Two resin types, phenol–formaldehyde (PF) and polyisocyanate, were used in the experiments. The manufacturing parameters were: a specific gravity of 0.65 and waste tire rubber content (10/90, 20/80 and 30/70 by wt.% of waste tire rubber/wood strand). Average internal bond values of PF-bonded OSB panels with rubber chips were between 17.6% and 48.5% lower than the average of the control samples while polyisocyanate bonded OSBs were 16.5–50.6%. However, water resistance and mechanical properties of OSBs made using polyisocyanate resin were found to comply with general-purpose OSB minimum property requirements of EN 300 Type 1 (1997) values for use in dry conditions at the lowest tire rubber loading level (10%) based on the oven-dry panel weight. The tire rubber improved water resistance of the OSB panel due to its almost hydrophobic property. Based on the findings obtained from this study, we concluded that waste tire rubber could be used for general-purpose OSB manufacturing up to 10% ratio based on the oven-dry panel weight.     

废旧天然胶胶粉应用研究

以80目的废天然胶胶粉为研究对象,处理后将其分别以20%,30%的比例添加到天然混炼胶(NR)中,制备废胶粉/NR共混硫化胶;同时,通过邻苯二甲酸酐(PA)和高芳烃油对胶粉进行处理改性,制备了全胶粉弹性体。拉伸强度测试表明,对于共混胶弹性体,NR混炼胶空白样的拉伸强度为19.21 MPa,添加20%,30%比例的胶粉/NR共混硫化胶的拉伸强度可以分别达到18.03 MPa,17.23 MPa;改性后制备的全胶粉混炼胶硫化样品拉伸强度达到8.12 MPa,超过了再生胶的国标标准。同时应用扫描电子显微镜SEM分析、比较了各试样断裂面的微观结构,应用比表面仪BET和SEM表征了胶粉的表面形貌与结构,发现胶粉表面呈现"绒球"状,具有较好的表面性能。     

Natural Rubber-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives: A Review

The purpose of this review is to describe the various aspects of pressure-sensitive adhesives prepared from natural rubber. Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) adhere instantaneously to a variety of surfaces upon application of slight pressure and can be obtained using different technologies. PSAs are materials that develop tack for low pressures and short contact times. There are number of factors affecting the adhesion property of natural rubber based pressure-sensitive adhesives. In this review, factors affecting adhesion property such as tack, peel and shear are examined in light of their relevance to adhesion in addition to measurement methods of each of the three major adhesion properties. This review paper covers the work being carried out from the last 20 years in the field of natural rubber based pressure sensitive adhesives.     

空气涡轮制冷低温粉碎法回收废弃橡胶

利用带回冷循环的空气涡轮制冷系统，在低温条件下，将废旧橡胶进行冷冻、粉碎、制成６０目以上的精细胶粉。此法的冷冻能耗成本仅为国际上通用的液氮法的１／１０，整具工艺过程不产生二次污染，为废旧橡胶的综合利用提供了一条新途径。     

4R of rubber waste management: current and outlook

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Excessive accumulation of rubber waste necessitates the need to revisit the effectiveness of the existing rubber waste management system. This...