Study of Devulcanised Crumb Rubber-Peat Bio-Based Composite for Environmental Applications

Abstract

A proper recycling and secondary reuse of end-of-life car tires (ELTs) remain an important issue for many regions. Devulcanised crumb rubber as a product of ELT recycling could be used for very different applications, including site remediation by spilled oil products. In current paper a development of new bio-based composite material containing devulcanised crumb rubber and cenospheres is suggested. Designed bio-based composite can be used as a oil spill adsorbent, material for civil engineering, and as a raw material for further modification by introduction of ferromagnetic components. Homogenised peat with peat content 14.0 ± 1.5 wt%, particle size 0.01 – 0.5 mm used as a natural bio-based binder. Devulcanised crumb rubber particle size 1.0 – 4.0 mm was used as a porous substrate. Designed compositions contained 5, 10, 15, 20 wt% (before drying) of devulcanised crumb rubber. Cenospheres have duplex function for designed composite: lightweight additive that makes final product floatable, and at the same time minimises shrinkage of dried product. It was found that devulcanised crumb rubber reduces density of final composite and adding open porosity. Developed bio-based composites could be manufactured in granules by drum granulation technique for further environmental applications. Formability and apparent density of bio-based composite are studied.