Revulcanização de rejeito industrial de copolímero de butadieno e estireno (SBR)

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develope and characterize SBR industrial scraps vulcanizable formulations with technological applications. Firstly, SBR scraps were collected in accordance with the standard NBR 10007. Then, they were ground in equipments available at the Laboratório de Polímeros of the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. The obtained powder (SBR-r) was physically, thermally and chemically characterized. An homogeneous powder, suitable for utilization as raw material in revulcanizable compositions was obtained. From the SBR-r, six compositions were elaborated (TW17S, TW17C, TW26S, TW26C, TW33S e TW33C), varying cure system and aromatic oil presence. These compositions were compared to a control sample, with the same formulation of the SBR scraps. This sample was supplied by the industry were the SBR scraps were collected. Before vulcanization, all compositions were characterized by its thermal, rheological and viscoelastic properties. It was realized that the processability of a composition depends on the presence of oil, once oil addition improves processability. Through Rubber Process Analyzer, the viscoelastic behavior limit of all compositions was determined, showing likeness between them. The pseudoplastic behavior of the compositions was also evidenced. Vulcanization parameters were determined by oscillatory disk reometry (ODR), to obtain specific test specimens for proposed tests. Vulcanized compositions were characterized by crosslink density, physical-mechanical properties (density, tensile strength, tear strength and hardness) and scanning electron microscopy. Crosslink density was definitive in the study of the utilized cure systems, once that justifies the mechanical properties of compositions. Mechanical properties of the compositions are between values with technological applications, being around 70% of the tensile strength of control sample and 50% of the tear strength.