Reclaim Rubber

Reclaimed rubber is a sustainable alternative to virgin rubber produced from natural or synthetic sources. It's made by recycling end-of-life rubber products such as tires, conveyor belts, or shoe soles.

OVERVIEW OF Reclaim Rubber

Properties and Characteristics:

  1. Elasticity: Reclaimed rubber maintains a significant degree of elasticity, making it suitable for applications where flexibility is required.
  2. Tensile Strength: Although not as high as virgin rubber, reclaimed rubber still possesses adequate tensile strength for many applications.
  3. Durability: It offers good resistance to abrasion and tearing, contributing to its durability in various applications.
  4. Heat Resistance: Depending on the manufacturing process and additives used, reclaimed rubber can exhibit moderate to high heat resistance, making it suitable for applications where temperature fluctuations occur.
  5. Chemical Resistance: Reclaimed rubber may have varying degrees of resistance to chemicals, oils, and solvents depending on the source material and processing techniques.
  6. Cost-Effectiveness: One of the main advantages of using reclaimed rubber is its lower cost compared to virgin rubber, making it an attractive option for many industries.
  7. Environmental Sustainability: Reclaimed rubber is environmentally friendly as it reduces the need for new rubber production, minimizes waste, and helps in the recycling of rubber products.

Applications:

  1. Automotive Industry: Reclaimed rubber is commonly used in the manufacture of automotive components such as tires, rubber mats, gaskets, and seals.
  2. Construction Industry: It finds applications in construction materials like rubberized asphalt for road construction, roofing materials, and sealants.
  3. Footwear Industry: Reclaimed rubber is utilized in the production of shoe soles, insoles, and other components of footwear.
  4. Industrial Products: It is used in various industrial products such as conveyor belts, hoses, rubber sheets, and molded rubber parts.
  5. Sports and Leisure Products: Reclaimed rubber is used in the manufacturing of sports surfaces, playground mats, and recreational equipment.
  6. Adhesives and Sealants: It is incorporated into adhesives, sealants, and caulks for bonding and sealing applications.
  7. Consumer Goods: Reclaimed rubber can be found in a range of consumer goods like floor mats, mud flaps, and rubberized fabrics.

Overall, reclaimed rubber offers a balance between performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability, making it a versatile material for various industries and applications.

TYPES OF Reclaim Rubber

Whole Tyre Reclaim

Whole tire reclaim rubber, also known as whole tire rubber (WTR), is produced from the recycling of whole tires through a reclaiming process.

Details:

  • Production Process: Whole tire reclaim rubber is typically produced by shredding end-of-life tires into small pieces or crumb rubber. These tire scraps are then subjected to a reclaiming process involving heating, shredding, and devulcanization, which breaks down the rubber polymer chains and allows for the reclamation of usable rubber material.
  • Composition: Whole tire reclaim rubber typically contains a mix of rubber compounds, including natural rubber (NR), synthetic rubber such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or butadiene rubber (BR), carbon black, and various additives used in tire manufacturing.
  • Particle Size: The particle size of whole tire reclaim rubber can vary depending on the reclaiming process, but it is generally available in fine to coarse granules or powder form.

Properties:

  • Elasticity: Whole tire reclaim rubber retains a considerable degree of elasticity, allowing it to deform under stress and return to its original shape when the stress is removed.
  • Tensile Strength: While not as high as virgin rubber, whole tire reclaim rubber still maintains adequate tensile strength for many applications, making it suitable for use in various rubber products.
  • Abrasion Resistance: It offers good resistance to abrasion, making it suitable for applications subjected to wear and tear, such as tire treads and conveyor belts.
  • Flexibility: Whole tire reclaim rubber exhibits flexibility, allowing it to be molded or shaped into different forms to suit various applications.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: One of the main advantages of using whole tire reclaim rubber is its lower cost compared to virgin rubber, making it an economical choice for many applications.

Applications:

  • Tire Manufacturing: Whole tire reclaim rubber is commonly used in the production of new tires, where it is mixed with virgin rubber to create tire compounds for treads, sidewalls, and other tire components.
  • Automotive Components: It finds applications in various automotive components such as rubber mats, gaskets, seals, and vibration dampers.
  • Construction Materials: Whole tire reclaim rubber is used in the manufacture of construction materials such as rubberized asphalt for road surfaces, roofing materials, and sound insulation.
  • Industrial Products: It is utilized in industrial products including conveyor belts, hoses, molded rubber parts, and anti-vibration mounts.
  • Sporting Goods: Whole tire reclaim rubber is used in the production of sporting goods such as playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and gym flooring mats.
  • Consumer Products: It can be found in consumer products like floor mats, mud flaps, and rubberized fabrics.

Overall, whole tire reclaim rubber offers a sustainable solution for recycling end-of-life tires while providing a cost-effective alternative to virgin rubber in a wide range of applications across various industries.

Natural Rubber Reclaim

Natural rubber reclaim, also known as NR reclaim, is produced through the recycling and reprocessing of natural rubber materials.

Details:

  • Production Process: Natural rubber reclaim is typically obtained from recycled natural rubber products such as latex gloves, rubber bands, or rubber sheets. The recycling process involves shredding or grinding the rubber waste into small pieces, followed by devulcanization, where the crosslinks in the rubber polymer chains are broken down to reclaim the rubber material.
  • Composition: Natural rubber reclaim primarily consists of natural rubber polymer chains, which are the main component of the original natural rubber product being recycled. It may also contain some synthetic rubber components depending on the source material.
  • Particle Size: The particle size of natural rubber reclaim can vary depending on the recycling process but is generally available in fine to coarse granules or powder form.

Properties:

  • Elasticity: Natural rubber reclaim retains the inherent elasticity characteristic of natural rubber, allowing it to stretch under stress and return to its original shape when the stress is removed.
  • Tensile Strength: It exhibits good tensile strength, although typically not as high as virgin natural rubber. However, the tensile strength can be enhanced through blending with other materials or additives.
  • Abrasion Resistance: Natural rubber reclaim offers good resistance to abrasion, making it suitable for applications subjected to wear and tear, such as tires, conveyor belts, and shoe soles.
  • Flexibility: It maintains flexibility even after recycling, allowing it to be molded or shaped into various forms for different applications.
  • Biodegradability: Natural rubber reclaim retains the biodegradability characteristic of natural rubber, making it an environmentally friendly option for certain applications.

Applications:

  • Tire Manufacturing: Natural rubber reclaim is commonly used in the production of tires, where it is blended with virgin natural rubber to create tire compounds for treads, sidewalls, and other tire components.
  • Automotive Components: It finds applications in various automotive components such as gaskets, seals, bushings, and suspension components.
  • Footwear: Natural rubber reclaim is used in the manufacturing of shoe soles, insoles, and other footwear components due to its flexibility and abrasion resistance.
  • Industrial Products: It is utilized in industrial products including conveyor belts, hoses, rubber sheets, and molded rubber parts.
  • Consumer Goods: Natural rubber reclaim can be found in consumer products such as floor mats, rubberized fabrics, and sporting goods.

Overall, natural rubber reclaim offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to virgin natural rubber, providing similar properties and performance characteristics for various applications across different industries.

Butyl Rubber Reclaim

Butyl rubber reclaim, also known as reclaimed butyl rubber, is produced through the recycling and reprocessing of butyl rubber materials.

Production Process:

  1. Collection: Butyl rubber materials, such as butyl inner tubes, pharmaceutical stoppers, or sealants, are collected as waste or scrap from various sources.
  2. Shredding: The collected butyl rubber waste is shredded or ground into small pieces to facilitate further processing.
  3. Devulcanization: The shredded butyl rubber undergoes a devulcanization process, where heat and chemical treatments are applied to break down the crosslinks in the rubber polymer chains. This process allows for the reclamation of usable rubber material.
  4. Processing: The devulcanized butyl rubber is processed further to refine its properties and particle size, resulting in reclaimed butyl rubber in the form of granules or powder.

Properties:

  1. Air and Gas Impermeability: Butyl rubber reclaim retains the excellent air and gas impermeability characteristic of butyl rubber, making it suitable for applications requiring low permeability to gases and liquids.
  2. Heat Resistance: It exhibits good resistance to heat, making it suitable for use in applications subjected to high temperatures.
  3. Weather Resistance: Butyl rubber reclaim offers excellent weather resistance, including resistance to ozone, UV radiation, and harsh environmental conditions.
  4. Chemical Resistance: It shows good resistance to various chemicals, oils, and solvents, enhancing its suitability for applications where exposure to chemicals is a concern.
  5. Flexibility: Reclaimed butyl rubber maintains flexibility even after recycling, allowing it to be molded or shaped into different forms for various applications.

Applications:

  1. Inner Tubes: Reclaimed butyl rubber is commonly used in the production of inner tubes for automotive, bicycle, and industrial tires.
  2. Tire Manufacturing: It finds applications in tire manufacturing, where it is used in tire inner liners to provide air retention properties and puncture resistance.
  3. Sealants and Gaskets: Reclaimed butyl rubber is used in the production of sealants, gaskets, and O-rings for various sealing applications due to its excellent impermeability properties.
  4. Adhesives: It is utilized in adhesive formulations for bonding applications requiring airtight seals and resistance to environmental factors.
  5. Industrial Applications: Reclaimed butyl rubber is used in various industrial applications, including vibration damping mounts, conveyor belts, and hoses, where its properties such as flexibility and chemical resistance are beneficial.

Overall, butyl rubber reclaim offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for recycling butyl rubber waste while retaining its desirable properties for a wide range of applications across industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing

Chlorobutyl Reclaim Rubber

Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber, also known as chlorobutyl reclaimed rubber, is produced through the recycling and reprocessing of chlorobutyl rubber materials.

Production Process:

  1. Collection: Chlorobutyl rubber waste materials, which can include unused or discarded chlorobutyl rubber products, are collected from various sources such as manufacturing facilities or recycling centers.
  2. Shredding: The collected chlorobutyl rubber waste is shredded or ground into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing. This step helps to increase the surface area of the rubber particles, aiding in subsequent devulcanization.
  3. Devulcanization: The shredded chlorobutyl rubber undergoes a devulcanization process. Devulcanization involves breaking down the crosslinks in the rubber polymer chains, typically through the application of heat, pressure, and chemical treatments. This process reverses the vulcanization process, allowing the reclaimed rubber to be processed and reused.
  4. Processing: After devulcanization, the reclaimed chlorobutyl rubber undergoes further processing to refine its properties and particle size. This may involve grinding, mixing with additives, and shaping into granules or sheets, depending on the desired final product.

Properties:

  1. Air and Gas Impermeability: Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber retains the excellent air and gas impermeability characteristic of chlorobutyl rubber. This property makes it suitable for applications requiring low permeability to gases and liquids, such as tire inner liners and seals.
  2. Heat Resistance: Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber exhibits good heat resistance, allowing it to withstand high temperatures without significant degradation. This property is advantageous in applications subjected to elevated temperatures, such as automotive components and industrial seals.
  3. Chemical Resistance: Reclaimed chlorobutyl rubber demonstrates good resistance to various chemicals, oils, and solvents. This chemical resistance makes it suitable for use in environments where exposure to harsh chemicals is a concern, such as in sealants and gaskets.
  4. Flexibility: Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber maintains flexibility even after recycling, allowing it to be molded or shaped into different forms for various applications. This flexibility is essential for applications requiring rubber materials to conform to irregular shapes or withstand bending and stretching.

Applications:

  1. Tire Manufacturing: Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber is commonly used in tire manufacturing, particularly in the production of tire inner liners. The reclaimed rubber provides air retention properties, puncture resistance, and heat resistance to tire inner liners, contributing to the overall performance and longevity of the tire.
  2. Sealants and Gaskets: It finds applications in the production of sealants, gaskets, and O-rings for various sealing applications. The excellent impermeability and chemical resistance of chlorobutyl reclaim rubber make it well-suited for sealing applications in automotive, construction, and industrial settings.
  3. Adhesives: Reclaimed chlorobutyl rubber is utilized in adhesive formulations for bonding applications requiring airtight seals and resistance to environmental factors. The adhesive properties of chlorobutyl reclaim rubber make it suitable for bonding rubber to rubber or rubber to other materials.
  4. Industrial Applications: It is used in various industrial applications such as conveyor belts, hoses, and vibration damping mounts, where its properties such as flexibility, chemical resistance, and adhesion are beneficial. Chlorobutyl reclaim rubber contributes to the durability and performance of these industrial products in demanding environments.

Overall, chlorobutyl reclaim rubber offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for recycling chlorobutyl rubber waste while retaining its desirable properties for a wide range of applications across industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing.