Modification of Ground Tire Rubber—Promising Approach for Development of Green Composites

Abstract

Ground tire rubber (GTR) was mechano-chemically modified using a road bitumen 100/150 and two types of organic peroxides: di-(2-tert-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)-benzene (BIB) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The impact of used additives on reactive sintering efficiency and physico-mechanical properties of modified GTR was investigated using oscillating disc rheometer measurements, followed by tensile tests and swelling behavior studies. It was found that the application of bitumen and both used peroxides (DCP/BIB) improves processing and reactive sintering efficiency better than untreated GTR. However, the results indicate that BIB is more prone to blooming on the surface of modified GTR, thus limiting (especially at higher content) its application as a modifier and promotor of GTR reactive sintering.