Abstract
In this study, a material recycling technology for automobile rubber waste has been newly
developed using the continuous reactive processing method. In the process of producing
reclaimed rubber, breakages of crosslinking points in the crosslinked rubber occur selectively
under the controls of shear stress, reaction temperature, and internal pressure in a suitably
designed twin screw extruder. Deodorization during the process has also become possible by
the injection of high-pressure water. The reclaimed rubber based on automobile rubber waste
generated from manufacturing products (e.g., weather strips, tires) shows excellent
mechanical properties applicable to new rubber compounds. Furthermore, an enhanced rubber
recycling process for producing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based on rubber waste has
been established. The obtained TPE with good moldability and recyclability exhibits highly
recoverable rubber elasticity and mechanical properties comparable to commercial TPE. The
reclaimed rubber using this technology is currently being utilized for various automobile
rubber parts in mass-produced motor vehicles.
Keywords: Crosslinked Rubber, Recycle, Automobile Rubber Waste, Devulcanization, Thermoplastic
Elastomer