Research Articles
The development of rubber-thermoplastic blends from ground tyre rubber and waste polypropylene
Authors:
S.M. Egodage ,
University of Loughborough, LK
About S.M.
Department of Materials, Faculty of Science, University of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
J.F. Harper,
University of Loughborough, GB
About J.F.
Department of Materials, Faculty of Science, University of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
S. Walpalage
University of Moratuwa, LK
About S.
Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Moratuwa
Abstract
Ground Tyre Rubber (GTR) from scrap automotive and truck tyres was blended with Waste Polypropylene (WPP) from injection moulded products to prepare GTR/WPP blends. The blends were prepared in a Haake Rheocord PolyLab System, operating at 180 0C and 30 rpm for 8 minutes. The degree of crystallinity of the WPP in the GTR/WPP blend was found to be unchanged up to a GTR level of 60 % by weight. Crystalline melting point and re-crystallization temperature showed a significant decrease with GTR content. Optical micrograph of the blends containing up to 60 wt% GTR showed a similar morphology, in which the GTR was dispersed in a continuous WPP phase. The GTR dispersed phase grew in size with GTR content until at 70 wt%, it changed to a continuous phase. However, all blends showed a mixture of cohesive, adhesive and ductile failures. The response to tensile loading ranged from a ductile plastic response with WPP-rich blends to a high extension–rubbery response with GTR-rich blends. Under impact loads, brittle fracture occurred in blends containing up to 40 wt% GTR, with ductile fracture thereafter. Hardness, tensile strength, secant modulus at 7% strain and tear resistance decreased with increase in GTR content, while % elongation at break and impact failure energy increased.
Keywords: Ground tyre rubber, mechanical properties, rubber thermoplastic blends, waste polypropylene
doi :10.4038/jnsfsr.v37i2.1067
J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2009 37 (2):117-123
How to Cite:
Egodage, S.M., Harper, J.F. and Walpalage, S., 2009. The development of rubber-thermoplastic blends from ground tyre rubber and waste polypropylene. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 37(2), pp.117–123. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v37i2.1067
Published on
30 Jun 2009.
Peer Reviewed
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