The recycling of vulcanized elastomers represents a problem for companies generating elastomeric residues and has become a wide field of study for researchers in this area. This study addresses the possible use of these residues and investigates an alternative for their recovery through incorporation of tread powder of cars tires (STR-r) as a filler into a typical formulation for motorcycle tire tread (base formulation - BF). The study began with the characterization of the STR-r, based on granulometric, thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The incorporation of STR-r into BF was carried out in an open mixer, in the proportions of 5 to 20 phr. The rheometric parameters of the vulcanization and the mechanical properties of the composites prepared, such as elongation at break, hardness (Shore A), abrasion resistance, tensile and tear strength, were determined. The results were compared with those of BF used in the production process of a motorcycle tire company. Following the analysis of the results for the different composites, the formulation with 10 phr of STR-r was selected to be produced on an industrial scale, that is, in a closed Banbury-type mixer. The calculation of the production cost was carried out in order to evaluate the economic viability of this recycling option.
Solid rubber tire powder; mechanical properties; recycling
