Reclaimed rubber from buffing dust-by means of a simple method of plasticization

Abstract

A simple method of reclaiming rubber from buffing dust, the major rubber reject of Sri Lankan tyre retreading rubber industries is identified. In the procedure, buffing dust which has been swollen previously with SM 20, the aromatic rubber process oil in various proportions is plasticized with 1 part, by weight of Zinc: salt of Pentachlorophenol, the common peptizer on a warm two roll mill temperature70° - 80°C. The effects produced by the variables such as amount of oil absorbed, and time of mastication on the degree of plasticity of the softened buffing dust mass are investigated and from the results a simple efficient method of reclaiming rubber from buffing dust is chosen. A sample of the reclaimed rubber mass, produced by this particular method, when it is compounded with ingredients and blended with Natural rubber, show valuable technical properties during processing and in vulcanisates.