Abstract: PRISM Thermoplastic Rubber (PTR) is a novel, composite rubber material technology principally compounded from EOL, ambient ground, whole tires through the management of a unique process governed by the application of advanced, quantum field physics. The value from this technology is to provide a virgin-material-analog that may be readily integrated at high ratio, into new tire construction using conventional tire chemistry and manufacturing techniques resulting in a sustainable and significant, positive cost-benefit ratio as compared to current tire manufacturing economics.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to recycled rubber masterbatch which exhibits a sufficient level of green strength and tack. The devulcanization of thermoset rubber is provided by reactive mixing of pulverized rubber, thermoplastic matrix, main-chain backbone antidegradant and green strength enhancer in the presence of a devulcanizing promoter. The embodiments of the invention also provide a thermoplastic dynamically post-vulcanized rubber which comprises at least one devulcanized rubber masterbatch and a polymer, wherein the rubber component is dispersed as a domain in a continuous resin phase and is selectively crosslinked during melt mixing with a molten thermoplastic.

Abstract: A composite system for the reinforcement of physical structures includes a plurality of unidirectional fibers arranged with respective longitudinal axes generally parallel to each other over a substantial portion of a length of each unidirectional fiber. The plurality of unidirectional fibers are non-mechanically connected. A resinous material adheres the plurality of unidirectional fibers to each other such that each one of the plurality of unidirectional fiber is adhered to at least one adjacent one of the plurality of unidirectional fibers along a substantial portion of the length of the adjacent one of the plurality unidirectional fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for devulcanization of sulfur-cured rubber and a method of devulcanization of sulfur-cured rubber, and can be used to recycle used rubber articles. The composition for devulcanization of sulfur-cured rubber, which contains a devulcanizing agent for the selective destruction of sulfide bonds according to this invention, has a mixture of triphenylphosphine and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene at a weight ratio from 5:1 to 1:5 as the devulcanizing agent. Further, it contains a compatibilizer compatible with both the devulcanizing agent and the sulfur-cured rubber, at a weight ratio of the devulcanizing agent to the compatibilizer from 1:15 to 1:70. The devulcanizing agent breaks sulfide bonds in sulfur-cured rubber very effectively and selectively, while the experimentally selected compatibilizer ensures an effective penetration of the devulcanizing agent into the rubber crumbs.

Abstract: A method for precisely controlling the volume of a product such as a tire tread or tire that is placed into a mold is provided. This method includes providing a tread or tire that is built upon a portable mold core by laying a series of layers on the portable mold core. The outer diameter of the tire tread or tire is initially built to be purposely smaller than the interior surfaces of the mold in order to prevent any interference from occurring between the mold and the tire tread once the tire tread and core are placed within the mold and the mold is closed. The weight of the tire tread or tire is measured to see if the volume of the tire tread or tire is within acceptable parameters to fit within the mold. If not, additional material is added to the tire or tire tread.

Abstract: The cross-linked polyzwitterion/anion for the removal of strontium from aqueous solutions is a polyzwitterion having the following structure: and the corresponding anion formed by treating the polyzwitterion with a base, e.g., sodium hydroxide. The cross-linked polyzwitterion/anion (CPZA) was prepared using Butler's cyclopolymerization protocol. The CPZA resin was found to have a very good adsorption capacity for Sr2+ ions at low concentrations. The relatively strong rapid initial adsorption of 83% Sr2+ ions was followed by slower adsorption of the remaining 17%, which was described by an intraparticle diffusion model. The adsorption followed the Lagergren second-order kinetic model, and Temkin as well as Freundlich isotherm models. The negative ?Gs and ?H ensured the spontaneity and the exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The excellent adsorption and desorption efficiencies implied the efficacy of the resin in removing (as well as recovering) the metal ions from aqueous solution.

Abstract: Surface coating composition, method and apparatus for coating a surface. The surface coating composition comprises a recycled rubber product, one or more binding agent and optionally one or more additional agent.

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: Reclaiming cured elastomer material by mixing the cured elastomer as crumbs or chips with a devulcanization-aiding chemical composition, and devulcanizing the cured material by applying a shear-stress deformation to the mixture of the crumbs or chips with a devulcanization-aiding chemical while performing a mechanical disintegration of the cured elastomer into fine-ground crumbs under controllable temperature not exceeding about 90 degrees C.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a cured elastomer material in the form of crumb or chips, comprising mixing the elastomer material with a devulcanization-aiding chemical composition and performing devulcanization by applying a shear-stress deformation while performing a mechanical disintegration into fine-ground crumbs under a controllable temperature not exceeding about 90 degrees C.

Abstract: This invention proposes a method for thermal regeneration of waste rubber; add rough powder particle of waste rubber/environmental softener/powder material with weight ratio ranging among 100/8˜150/20˜1500 into mixing heater; first carry out oxygen-free heating and then divert into mixing cooler to cool below 100° C.; the discharge material is product; or set aside some or all powder material and then slowly add into mixing heater or/and add the same when the hot material has been diverted into mixing cooler; when the mixture has been cooled below 100° C., the discharged material is product; after initial mixing of the prepared material, directly divert the same into screw extruder and heat and get into mixing section; when the mixture has been cooled below 100° C.

Abstract: A surfacing composition made of recycled paint, which requires no priming, has a non-reflective “flat” appearance, and is partially composed of dried paint. The composition provides a useful application for used or excess household paint, which would otherwise require special methods of disposal and potentially create future toxic cleanup problems. The composition is made of granular dried paint and a water-based sealer, which can be spread on a surface to repair imperfections. The surface can then be finished, and no priming is required. Due to the composition's flat appearance, the patch does not display any characteristic sheen where the repair has been made. The composition provides a simple means of recycling paint, and provides a simple and inexpensive means of repairing imperfections in walls and other surfaces while saving the step of priming the patch before painting or repainting.

Abstract: A method for producing thermoplastic elastomer is disclosed and comprises the step of: blending a mixture including particles of vulcanized rubber material and a molten thermoplastic material such that the rubber material is subjected to mechanical shearing forces and the surfaces of the rubber particles undergo homolytic bond scission to form chains of free radicals which cross-link with the thermoplastic material. Apparatus for carrying out the method, elastomers produced by the method and articles produced from the elastomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for recycling articles made from butyl ionomers and processes for producing recycled butyl ionomers. The invention further relates to composites comprising recycled butyl ionomers and fillers and articles made from recycled butyl ionomers. The invention also relates to uncured filled articles made from butyl ionomers having certain physical properties. Exemplary fillers include silica, carbon black, talc and clay, particularly onium substituted high aspect ratio nanoclays.

Abstract: A recycled latex foam material is prepared by mixing polyurethane with recycled waste latex grains to cause a polymerization reaction and then feeding the polymerized recycled waste latex foam grains and polyurethane mixture into a mold for molding into a finished product. The method of the invention is environmentally friendly and practical for making latex foam pads of different hardnesses and densities for different application purposes by using different grain sizes of recycled waste latex grains with polyurethane. The finished product has comfort wearing, breathing, anti-slip, anti-bacterial and cost-saving characteristics.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming of a cured elastomer material, comprising mixing the cured elastomer in form of crumb or chips with a devulcanization-aiding chemical composition, applying a shear-stress deformation to the mixture; the devulcanization-aiding chemical composition comprises following ingredients: first agent promoting scission of sulfide bonds of free radicals formed under said shear-stress deformation, which is selected from the following classes: of amines and sulfides and their derivatives; second agent providing the pre-set acidity in the course of the process and thus inhibiting recombination of sulfide bonds, which is selected from the following classes: organic acids and their anhydrides; third agent contributing to fast stabilization of the free radicals, which is selected from the class of oxidants fourth agent promoting redox reaction, which is selected from salts of metals with variable valence; and fifth agent prevention agglomeration of said elastomer material after applying the shear-stress

Abstract: A pulverized thermoplastic resin product such as a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a black pigment, a mixture of a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a colored pigment and a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a colored pigment, or a pulverized thermoplastic product containing two or more different colored pigments can be converted into colored reclaimed resin particles by a method comprising the steps of mixing the pulverized resin product with a white pigment and a black pigment, melting the resulting mixture, and converting the molten mixture into solid particles. The colored reclaimed resin products can be utilized in various field.

Abstract: Recycled resin is produced by a method including a dismantling/recovery step of dismantling products containing resin moldings and recovering the resin moldings, a removal step of removing unwanted matter including metal components from the resin moldings, a sorting step of discriminating the materials of the resin moldings, and a crushing step of crushing the resin moldings. The method further includes, prior to the crushing step, detecting the metal components, and, after the crushing step, separating out and thus removing metal remaining in crushed material.

Abstract: Waste rubber in the from of crumbs, mainly from automobile tires, but also from other used rubber products including waste rubber formed in the course of their manufacturing, is mixed in a kneader, calender, or extruder with a compound containing the chemical group —SO2—NH—. Subsequently, at temperatures up to 180° C. the rubber crumbs are de-vulcanized within 15-20 minutes, the de-vulcanization degree being controlled by the de-vulcanization agent concentration, and time and temperature of de-vulcanization. After the eventual addition of small amounts of extenders as oil, soot, raw rubber, inorganic filler and the vulcanization agent a vulcanization mixture is obtained that after pressing into the shape of the rubber product is subjected to a standard vulcanization process.

Abstract: A method produces polar-modified rubber and olefin thermoplastic waste by grafting during a grinding process, for treatment, usable as compatibility agents in various plastic blends and composites, without the disadvantages of known functionalized recycled plastics, particularly the mechanical characteristics that are insufficient for their use. The waste is simultaneously ground and graft-modified in a temperature range between 40° C. and 140° C., in one method step. Scrap parts of vulcanized elastomer or olefin thermoplastic are comminuted to a particle size diameter of approximately 4 and 8 mm. The waste should be sorted by type, if possible. The shredded material is mixed with at least one organic peroxide and an ?,?-ethylene compound possessing at least one unsaturated polar group. The mixture is simultaneously ground and grafted at a specified dwell time and temperature range to a particle size diameter <1 mm. Residual components and byproducts are removed via nitrogen flushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the delulcanization of rubber. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the hydro-devulcanization of vulcanized rubber utilizing a rubber swelling solvent, a source of reactive hyrogen and elevated temperature and, optimally, also uses a dispersed molecular-scale hydrogenation catalyst that is introduced into the vulcanized rubber in a catalytically inert form that is soluable in the rubber swelling solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for devulcanizing a sulphur-cured rubber, which rubber contains a network of a polymer, which polymer has a main chain of carbon atoms, in which for the vulcanization per 40 carbon-carbon bonds in the main chain a maximum of 1 unsaturated carbon-carbon bond occurs, by heating the rubber in the presence of a devulcanizing agent. The devulcanizing agent is an amine compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a modifier for devulcanization of cured elastomers, and especially vulcanized rubber, said modifier containing a first chemical substance, which is disposed towards on and the formation of an organic cation and amine, and further containing a second chemical substance as promotor of dissociation of the first chemical substance, said promotor containing a functional group constituting an acceptor of said amine.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming sulfur-cured, vulcanized rubber by combining finely ground scrap vulcanized rubber within a specialized, twin-screw extruder capable of providing strong shearing and just-on-time mixing; adding a reclaiming agent to the extruder; and masticating the rubber scrap and reclaiming agent within the extruder until the rubber scrap is devulcanized. The present invention also discloses a unique composition of reclaiming agent, which preferably includes the following compounds: accelerators TBBS, ZMBT, MBT, and TMTM; activators zinc oxide and stearic acid; and zinc salts of fatty acids and sulfur. The reclaimed rubber is suitable for use in producing high-grade, rubber products without adding a binder, or for combining with fresh rubber compounds to produce high-specification rubber products.

Abstract: A moldable heterogeneous composite material has a continuous plastic phase (30) and a discrete phase of unground rubber (20) dispersed in the continuous phase. The composite material can be formed from thermoplastic or thermosetting materials and pieces of rubber from used tires. The composite material of the present invention can be molded in a process having the steps of providing a flowable melt of plastic material (50), providing unground rubber pieces (70), mixing the plastic material with the rubber pieces to form a composite material, and molding the composite material into an article (10) having a desired shape. Molded articles formed from the composite of the present invention have high rigidity and good durability.

Abstract: Materials ranging from impact-modified thermoplastics to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can be obtained from blends of phase compatibility-treated recycled thermoset rubber with thermoplastic polymers by varying the ratio of components in the blend, or by changing the components themselves. The rubber component may include carbon black, or other fillers and additives, and it may be selected from among a variety of thermoset rubbers, both natural and synthetic. The thermoset rubber component can be obtained from a rubber material recycled according to a variety of known techniques. The thermoplastic component can be virtually any suitable polymer, the properties of which can be advantageously modified by combination with a rubber. Polyolefins are among the more preferred thermoplastic components.

Abstract: A method for producing a polypropylene blend from a plastic packaging materials containing high molecular weight polypropylene, other high molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene, low molecular weight polymers and other contaminants. The method includes extraction, solid-liquid separation and liquid-liquid phase separation using various organic solvents. The polypropylene blend has a purity of 95% and has favorable melt flow characteristics, while retaining satisfactory mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for devulcanizing a sulphur-cured rubber, which rubber contains a network of a polymer, which polymer has a main chain of carbon atoms, in which for the vulcanization per 40 carbon-carbon bonds in the main chain a maximum of 1 unsaturated carbon-carbon bond occurs, by heating the rubber in the presence of a devulcanizing agent. The devulcanizing agent is an amine compound.

Abstract: Polymer are removed from organic solvent-polymer mixtures by preparing a liquid-liquid dispersion of finely dispersed solvent droplets containing polymer in water, adding this liquid-liquid dispersion to a stirred vessel containing water or other suitable liquid and rapidly evaporating the solvent to produce a slurry of the polymer in a liquid from which the solid polymer particles are recovered.

Abstract: A gel-like emulsion containing natural rubber and crumb rubber from used vehicle tires which may be added to an asphalt paving emulsion at ambient temperature for chip coating, slurry sealing, microsurfacing, soil stabilization or pavement recycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recycling of trim components of vehicles. The method comprises the steps of shredding manufacturing scrap and post-consumer scrap from vehicle headliners into small particles to produce fluff. This fluff is then combined with water and a binder reagent composed of either polyisocyanates, or polyisocyanates combined with various polyols. The solution of fluff, binder reagent and water are mixed, and then placed in a mold where the mixture is formed into a pre-preg sheet. Subsequently, the pre-preg sheet is subjected to compression molding at elevated temperatures to produce a finished composite trim panel. As part of the final compression molding step, a decorative coverstock can be included to produce a finished trim panel having a decorative cover.

Abstract: A process is developed for recycling a polyolefin cross-linked substance having a cross-linkage, a polyolefin foamed substance free from a cross-linkage or a polyolefin foamed substance having a cross-linkage. The process includes the step of heating the polyolefin cross-linked substance together with a cross-linkage breaking agent, whereby breaking the cross-linkage to recycle the polyolefin cross-linked substance into a moldable thermoplastic resin. Further, the process includes the step of adding a foaming-agent-decomposition facilitating agent to the polyolefin foamed substance in the course of thermally melting the polyolefin foamed substance, whereby decomposing a residual foaming agent remaining in the polyolefin foamed substance.

Abstract: Compositions and techniques useful to effectively recycle crosslinked (i.e., vulcanized or cured) fluoroelastomers are disclosed. The invention utilizes an additive system that includes a cure-enhancing additive, a crosslinking agent, and an accelerator.

Abstract: A method of processing used tires and the recovery of the products thereof. The process includes adding shredded automobile tire to a bath containing a combination of isocyanide, polyurethane, latex, and soybean oil. The resultant mixture is then heated at approximately 700.degree. F. for a period of 10 minutes. The process allows the recovery of the following products, including but not limited to: oil, steel, vinyl chloride, carbon, and carbon black. The addition of soybean oil to the bath mixture provides a safer and more economical process. The current process does not require the use of a special atmosphere nor does it require the use of a high pressure system.

Abstract: Post consumer recyclable plastics are combined with a ethylene-octene copolymer and a polyamide to prepare a resin composition that can be used in conventional molding processes to fabricate new and useful plastic articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming elastomeric material from elemental sulphur-cured elastomeric material having a vulcanized network without using hexamethylene tetramine, by treating the sulphur-cured elastomeric material having a vulcanized network with one or more rubber delinking accelerators selected from the group of zinc salts of thiocarbamates and zinc salts of dialkyl dithiophosphates, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole or derivatives thereof, thiurams, guanidines, 4,4'-dithiomorpholine and sulphenamides, and a zinc oxide activator in an amount sufficient to act as an activator for the accelerator(s) to delink the elastomeric material at a temperature below 70.degree. C., whereby the vulcanized network is opened up or delinked to provide a curable reclaimed elastomeric material capable of being vulcanized without adding rubber vulcanizing chemicals.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of devulcanized rubbers from a base material composed of scrap rubber products is provided which produces high grade, low viscosity rubber products. The process is carried out in at least two stages, the first stage comprising mixing a polymeric additive to the base material at elevated temperatures and the second stage comprising mixing unvulcanized virgin rubber with the mixture of base material and polymeric additive at elevated temperatures. The process also may comprise a preliminary stage in which a chemically modified epoxidized natural rubber is mixed with the base material at ambient temperature prior to the first stage.

Abstract: A composition for use in sculpturing, a sculpturing piece comprising the composition and a method for obtaining the piece, wherein the composition comprises 90 to 99% of a particulate material consisting of particles having a size from 0.05 to 2 mm, and a plastic binder from 1 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, each particle of the particulate material being encapsulated by a film layer of the plastic binder.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic products are made from Parthenum argentatum (Gray), Ficus elastica and other non-hevea rubber-containing plants by homogenizing the plants in an aqueous medium, filtering the homogenate and separating the rubber-containing phase from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. Optionally, the filtrate may be clarified before separation. The hypoallergenic rubber products do not contain the rubber-associated proteins which are responsible for sensitization in allergic individuals.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming cured or semi-cured rubber, by subjecting a mass of rubber to be reclaimed to a solvent effective to swell said mass, passing the formed swollen mass of rubber through restriction means having small openings, such as a perforated plate, deleterious or devulcanizing substances being comprised in at least one of said restriction means and said swollen mass of rubber.

Abstract: An anhydride-containing thermoplastic resin such as a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer is processed in a vented extruder in the present of a nitrogenous chemical blowing agent to both imidize at least a portion of the anhydride groups and remove volatile residues such as unreacted styrene monomer from the resin.

Abstract: A method of processing used tires and the recovery of the products thereof. The process includes adding shredded automobile tire to a bath containing a combination of isocyanide, polyurethane, latex, and soybean oil. The resultant mixture is then heated at approximately 700.degree. F. for a period of 10 minutes. The process allows the recovery of the following products, including but not limited to: oil, steel, vinyl chloride, and carbon. The addition of soybean oil to the bath mixture provides a safer and more economical process. The current process does not require the use of a special atmosphere nor does it require the use of a high pressure system.

Abstract: Method of manufacture of paint and adhesive of rubber from vulcanized rubber that is reclaimed, becoming a product that provides impermeability, flexibility and resistance to the pellicle by process of reduction to small particles through cracking beater mills, immersed in adequate solvents and recovered in ball mills to which is added products such as dyeing, pigments, asphalts, oils, accelerators, resins, etc., which give to the paint or adhesive its final characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an underlayment composition for an artificial playing surface comprised of a butadiene rubber, such as polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene that is commercially available as recycled polycord tires that have been granulized. An inorganic-base moisture-retaining agent such as vermiculite or perlite is also included in the composition in addition to a binder comprised of a mixture of isocyanate polyurethane and an inorganic acid. The present invention also provides a method of making the present composition. The method comprises the steps of mixing thoroughly granulized particles of butadiene rubber in a mixing container, mixing an inorganic-based moisture-retaining component with the butadiene rubber, mixing an acid having a pH .ltoreq.3 with the butadiene rubber and the inorganic-based moisture-retaining component, and mixing an isocyanate polyurethane with the butadiene rubber, the inorganic-based moisture-retaining component and the acid.

Abstract: A process for the reclamation of polystyrene and other styrene containing polymers, by dissolving said polystyrene polymer into a water soluble solvent, such as NMP, and then precipitating said polymer away from the water soluble solvent through the addition of the water soluble solvent/styrene polymer solution into water. The particles of the polymer that precipitate out and float to the surface of the water can be collected and dried at temperatures that do not give added heat history to the polymer.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic products are made from Parthenum argentatum (Gray), Ficus elastica and other non-hevea rubber-containing plants by homogenizing the plants in an aqueous medium, filtering the homogenate and separating the rubber-containing phase from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. Optionally, the filtrate may be clarified before separation. The hypoallergenic rubber products do not contain the rubber-associated proteins which are responsible for sensitization in allergic individuals.

Abstract: A rubber compound obtained by compounding a raw rubber, powdered vulcanized scrap rubber with its surface partially processed via a swelling treatment, a vulcanizing agent and a vulcanizing accelerator. When manufacturing the compound, the scrap rubber is treated beforhand under ordinary temperature atomosphere by being mixed with a reclaiming agent that contains petroleum process oil.

Abstract: Disclosed as one embodiment is a method of producing useful articles from ground whole tire waste, which includes the steps of continuously extruding a heated mixture of ground whole tire waste and thermoplastic binder material into a continuously cooled, open-ended casting chamber. The apparatus for practicing this embodiment includes an extruder, a transition nozzle having an outlet with a cross-section corresponding to the desired cross-section of the useful article, and a casting chamber being constructed and arranged to remove thermal energy from an inner surface of the casting chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an underlayment composition for an artificial playing surface comprised of a butadiene rubber, such as polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene that is commercially available as recycled polycord tires that have been granulized. An inorganic-base moisture-retaining agent such as vermiculite or perlite is also included in the composition in addition to a binder comprised of a mixture of isocyanate polyurethane and an inorganic acid. The present invention also provides a method of making the present composition. The method comprises the steps of mixing thoroughly granulized particles of butadiene rubber in a mixing container, mixing an inorganic-based moisture-retaining component with the butadiene rubber, mixing an acid having a pH.ltoreq.3 with the butadiene rubber and the inorganic-based moisture-retaining component, and mixing an isocyanate polyurethane with the butadiene rubber, the inorganic-based moisture-retaining component and the acid.

Abstract: An active filler composition utilizing scrap rubber, such as automobile tires, as a main or primary ingredient is used in the treatment, recycling, and manufacture of various rubber and plastic articles. A chemical plasticizer and binding agent is used in the production of the composition to plasticize, swell, and soften the scrap rubber. The filler composition is a homogeneous blend of from about 40 to 95 parts by weight of cured rubber particles and from about 5 to 60 parts by weight of the liquid plasticizer and binder. The active filler composition can be further compounded with materials such as polyethylene, polyethylene-terephthallate (PET), polyurethanes, urethanes, polyisocurates, polyacrylics, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and epoxies, to form a composite material for combining with still other materials to impart elastomeric properties.