Abstract: A thermoplastic copolymer is made by first de-vulcanizing a sulfur-crosslinked elastomeric material to produce a liquid phase component. The liquid phase component is subsequently mixed with a compatible thermoplastic polymer at a temperature above its melting point thereof, and the resulting mixture is cooled to produce a solid product.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing thermoset cross-linked elastomeric scrap material has a batch-operated high shear mixer for inducing chemical reactions to partly devulcanize the material in a first devulcanizing stage. A continuously-operated multi-screw cooled extruder receives the partly devulcanized material from the high shear mixer and further devulcanizes the material by a mechanical shearing action in a second stage to produce an extruded product for revulcanization.

Abstract: A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.

Abstract: A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.

Abstract: Reclaim rubber is obtained from vulcanized rubber by subjecting a mass of the rubber to mechanical working applying highly intensive impact forces to the mass. The process is relatively energy efficient and therefore produces reclaim rubber at relatively low cost. It also mitigates the objectionable smell associated with known reclaim rubber products. The process can be used with the addition of small amounts (usually of the order of 1% to 2% by weight) of various chemicals known to retard cure rates in rubber, but it has been shown to be efficient on a production basis to operate without the addition of, or dependence on, any added chemicals.

Abstract: A polymer-modified rubber composition is formed by blending together about 5% to about 60% vulcanized styrene-butadiene rubber crumb; about 5% to about 60% uncured rubber; about 5% to about 30% styrene-based thermoplastic resin; about 1% to about 10% homogenizing agent adapted to facilitate blending of aromatic-based with non aromatic-based polymers; and about 1% to about 10% curing agent for the uncured rubber; to form a blend wherein the thermoplastic resin (c) is substantially homogeneously blended with the rubbers (a) and (b). All major components of the composition may be derived from the post industrial and post consumer waste stream. The compositions have excellent physical properties, especially stiffness and stiffness retention at elevated temperatures.