Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers comprising micronized or pulverized rubber powders are disclosed having physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. For example, the use of finer mesh MRP (e.g., particles of size that would pass through 40 mesh or smaller) to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers results in thermoplastic elastomers that have physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. Similarly, the use of a glycidyl functional terpolymer (optionally in combination with trimellitic anhydride or “TMA”) to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers comprising MRP results in thermoplastic elastomers that have physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. Moreover, the use of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene thermoplastic (e.g.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for manufacturing micronized powder. The systems, methods, and apparatuses comprise pre-grinding processing, cryogenic freezing, and grinding of infeed material and warming, ferrous metal and fiber removal, accumulation, screening, and storage of micronized powder. Generally, the warming may involve recirculation of micronized powder through the warming apparatus. Further, the accumulation may permit the grinding and screening to occur at their respectively optimal rates, and the fiber removal, via use of a vibrating screener, may increase the purity of the micronized powder. In one embodiment, the micronized powder comprises micronized rubber powder (“MRP”).

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: An asphalt additive comprising a primary rheology modifying component and a secondary rheology modifying component, and asphalt compositions and products having such additive incorporated therein. The primary rheology modifying component is generally a polymer, and the secondary rheology modifying component may comprise a petroleum micro-wax.

Abstract: An asphalt additive comprising a primary rheology modifying component and a secondary rheology modifying component, and asphalt compositions and products having such additive incorporated therein. The primary rheology modifying component is generally a polymer, and the secondary rheology modifying component may comprise a petroleum micro-wax.

Abstract: This invention discloses a tire having crack resistant sidewalls which include a micronized rubber powder. These tires are comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein the sidewalls are comprised of 20 phr to 80 phr of natural rubber, 20 phr to 80 phr of polybutadiene rubber, and 3% over batch weight to 20% over batch weight of micronized rubber powder, wherein the micronized rubber powder has a particle size which is within the range of 40 Mesh to 300 Mesh.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber from postconsumer sources can be included in rubber formulations without severely compromising abrasion resistance. The micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber utilized in the rubber formulations of this invention can be made by cryogenic grinding postconsumer rubber products using conventional procedures. For instance, it can be made by cryogenically grinding a tire tread containing a high level of solution styrene-butadiene rubber. The micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber can then be blending into desired virgin rubbers and cured without significantly compromising the abrasion resistance of the rubber formulation. The rubber formulation of this invention is comprised of a natural or synthetic rubber and from 1 weight percent to 30 weight percent of a micronized rubber composition containing at least 10 weight percent solution styrene-butadiene rubber and having a particle size of 40 mesh to 200 mesh.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized, and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain rubber formulations which exhibit a low level of hysteresis which are comprised of a chemically functionalized renewed rubber and virgin solution styrene-butadiene rubber. These rubber formulations are loaded with a reinforcing silica. The rubber formulations of this invention can be utilized in making rubber products such as, tires, tracks, and conveyor belts which will promote energy savings by virtue of their low hysteretic properties. The present invention more specifically discloses a rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a solution styrene-butadiene rubber; (2) a functionalized renewed rubber composition which is comprised of an elastomeric polymer and a stabilizer; wherein the rubber composition has a crosslink density which is within the range of 0.05 to 2.0×10?5 mole/g, and wherein the rubber composition has a solubility fraction of less than 90 percent; and (3) a reinforcing filler including reinforcing silica.

Abstract: The renewed rubber of this invention can be used in rubber formulations that are used in manufacturing a wide array of rubber products, including tires, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, hoses, and a wide array of other products. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for manufacturing an environmentally friendly, chemically functionalized, renewed rubber composition having a highly desirable combination of physical properties and which exhibits excellent processability comprising the steps of (1) blending a micronized rubber powder with a processing aid and a chemical functionalizing agent to produce a blended mixture; (2) processing the blended mixture under conditions of high shear and low temperature to produce a reacted mixture; (3) adding a stabilizer to the reacted mixture to produce the chemically functionalized renewed rubber composition.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber from postconsumer sources can be included in rubber formulations without severely compromising abrasion resistance. The micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber utilized in the rubber formulations of this invention can be made by cryogenic grinding postconsumer rubber products using conventional procedures. For instance, it can be made by cryogenically grinding a tire tread containing a high level of solution styrene-butadiene rubber. The micronized solution styrene-butadiene rubber can then be blending into desired virgin rubbers and cured without significantly compromising the abrasion resistance of the rubber formulation. The rubber formulation of this invention is comprised of a natural or synthetic rubber and from 1 weight percent to 30 weight percent of a micronized rubber composition containing at least 10 weight percent solution styrene-butadiene rubber and having a particle size of 40 mesh to 200 mesh.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain rubber formulations which exhibit a low level of hysteresis which are comprised of a chemically functionalized renewed rubber and virgin solution styrene-butadiene rubber. These rubber formulations are loaded with a reinforcing silica. The rubber formulations of this invention can be utilized in making rubber products such as, tires, tracks, and conveyor belts which will promote energy savings by virtue of their low hysteretic properties. The present invention more specifically discloses a rubber composition which is comprised of (1) a solution styrene-butadiene rubber; (2) a functionalized renewed rubber composition which is comprised of an elastomeric polymer and a stabilizer; wherein the rubber composition has a crosslink density which is within the range of 0.05 to 2.0×10?5 mole/g, and wherein the rubber composition has a solubility fraction of less than 90 percent; and (3) a reinforcing filler including reinforcing silica.

Abstract: A method of functionalizing reclaimed elastomer material is described. The method involves subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material have a size of 60 mesh or smaller. The reclaimed elastomer material can be subjected to shear in the presence of a modifier which selectively promotes the cleavage of inter-chain bonds in the reclaimed elastomer material. A functionalized reclaimed elastomer material made by a method as described above and an elastomer compound which comprises the functionalized reclaimed elastomer material are also described.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: Methods for making elastomer compounds are described. The compounds include reclaimed vulcanized elastomer materials such as micronized rubber powders (MRP). The elastomeric compositions exhibit lower tensile strength variability. As described herein, shorter mixing times can be used to achieve the same minimum tensile strength as composition containing no reclaimed material. The elastomeric compositions may include various proportions of reclaimed vulcanized elastomer materials. A rubber compound is also described which comprises reclaimed material and which has a minimum tensile strength equal to or higher than a predetermined minimum tensile strength associated with a compound containing no reclaimed material. The rubber compound is manufactured with a reduced mixing time compared to that of the compound with no MRP.

Abstract: An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.

Abstract: An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.

Abstract: An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.