Use of Ground Tyre Rubber (GTR) in Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomer Compositions

Abstract

A novel method was proposed to produce thermoplastic elastomers containing ground tyre rubber (GTR). The new proprietary technology is based on the fact that bitumen and related materials may contribute to the devulcanisation of GTR and act at the same time as plasticiser and compatibiliser in the blends. Blends containing polyolefins, olefinic type rubbers and GTR treated with bitumen showed outstanding mechanical properties and met the requirements with thermoplastic rubbers. It was established that the conditions of the GTR treatment by bitumen strongly affect the performance of the compounds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results revealed a good adhesion between the GTR particles and the surrounding matrix. The apparent particle size of GTR was reduced owing to the treatise with bitumen, which is an indirect hint for GTR devulcanisation.