Title: Production of rubber pads by tyre recycling

Authors: Alessandro Guglielmotti, Carmine Lucignano, Fabrizio Quadrini

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico No. 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico No. 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico No. 1, 00133 Rome, Italy

Abstract: Tyre recycling is a social problem but it may be a profitable operation if valid industrial applications would be experimented. In this study, the authors suggest that the combination of powder comminution and compression moulding of powders is an efficient solution to produce large rubber pads with good mechanical properties. An experimental approach is reported to design a |direct powder moulding| (in absence of virgin rubber or linking agent). Small samples were moulded in stainless steel moulds to evaluate the mechanical performances. Good results were obtained even if medium size particles are directly moulded, whereas the existing scientific contributions only deal with fine particles. Large pads were moulded in an aluminium mould to reduce cycle time. Due to the technical limits, the moulding pressure was reduced and this occurrence limited the final performances of the rubber pad. Nevertheless, the final properties are high enough to allow structural and functional applications.

Keywords: rubber pads; compression moulding; tyre recycling; pad production; mechanical properties; direct powder moulding; tyres.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2009.024029

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2009 Vol.1 No.1, pp.91 - 106

Published online: 24 Mar 2009 *

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