Recycled rubber used as impact modifier in plastics

ERJ staff report (DS)

Oberhausen Germany - Researchers at Fraunhofer Umsicht in Oberhausen have developed a process which uses recycled scrap rubber as a modifier for plastics, at ratios of 60 to 80 percent. Products such as lawnmower wheels, splashguards and suchlike are being tested at potential customer facilities.

The research focusses on technical rubber products, such as profiles, sealing rings and rubber mats.

The objective of the research work was to systematically analyse elastomers in powder and granulate form to optimise the recycling of rubber residues, because the elastomers in powder and granulate form can be used as functional additives, i.e., they provide plastics compounds with the desired properties such as haptics, hardness or elasticity.

By adding elastomeric powder, Fraunhofer UMSICHT has now developed high quality plastics compounds, called elastomeric powder modified thermoplastics (EPMT). The materials are already undergoing application tests at industry customers.

The new plastics compounds are processed into granulates in the compounder system, together with thermoplastics and additives. These in return can be processed on thermoplastic processing equipment.

Fraunhofer said the recycling of elastomers increases the added value and opens up new market perspectives. Production waste, e.g. from rubber processors can be recycled. At present, 60 to 80 percent of elastomeric powder by mass can be worked into the thermoplastic matrixes. EPMT can be used cost-effectively, are easily processed in injection moulding or extrusion machines, and are themselves also recyclable.

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Press release from Fraunhofer UMSICHT