Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing particle size by the use of a supercritical gas, such as carbon dioxide or a refrigerant. The material is swollen by the supercritical gas at a high pressure. After the material has been allowed to swell under a high pressure, the pressure is rapidly dropped. When the external pressure is rapidly dropped, the material explodes as the supercritical gas absorbed into the material rapidly expands outward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing particle size by the use of a supercritical fluid, generally carbon dioxide. The material is swollen by the supercritical carbon dioxide at a high pressure. After the material has been allowed to swell under a high pressure, the pressure is rapidly dropped. When the external pressure is rapidly dropped, the material explodes as the supercritical gas absorbed into the material rapidly expands outward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastomeric compostions and methods including compositions and methods involving the use of aromatic alcohols. The present invention further relates to elastomeric compositions that can include ground reclaimed elastomeric particles. Compositions of the present invention are usable in numerous elastomeric applications including interior and exterior vehicle parts, roofing, asphalt, and any other applications that employ an elastomer as an ingredient thereof, particularly those utilizing rubber or a similar elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing particle size by the use of a supercritical fluid, generally carbon dioxide. The material is swollen by the supercritical carbon dioxide at a high pressure. After the material has been allowed to swell under a high pressure, the pressure is rapidly dropped. When the external pressure is rapidly dropped, the material explodes as the supercritical gas absorbed into the material rapidly expands outward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predispersing additives used in a compounding process, as well as to predispersed particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for predispersing, particularly ground elastomers which are used as compounding ingredients for many applications, especially for the production of rubber or plastic materials such as tires.

Abstract: A grinding stone useful for a variety of comminuting applications, but especially useful for comminuting of rubber particles, comprises a cured mixture of a grit material (such as silicon carbide), an aqueous emulsion of an organic polymeric binding material, (such as an epoxy emulsion), a wetting agent, such as DAXAD™, a surfactant commercially available from the Hampshire Corporation of Lexington, Mass., and an inorganic binding material (preferably portland cement). The grinding stones can be prepared at room temperature, using readily available equipment, and at a greatly reduced cost when compared to current grinding stones prepared from silicon carbide and a vitrified ceramic binder. The stones of the present invention may be molded to a metal support plate, resulting in further process efficiencies and reduced stone manufacture and replacement costs.

Abstract: Grinding stones for rubber comminuting machines are segmented and are applied to backing plates using adhesives. Greater stone life is realized when compared to grinding devices which use mechanical clamps to hold the stones against the plate, and less breakage is encountered using segmented stones than similarly shaped unitary stones known to the art. In the most preferred embodiment, the area between adjacent ends of the stone segments are filled with the same adhesive used to adhere the stones to the backing plates.