Devulcanization

Thermo-mechanical rubber

The theory of devulcanization

The devulcanization is the process by which, by breaking the crosslinks between chains (sulfur or peroxide), a vulcanized rubber is re-transformed into a new plastomeric material, thus making it re-processable and recyclable.

Maris thermo-mechanical process is a 100% green approach that does not involve the use of chemicals. This particular process is made possible thanks to the different chemical-physical characteristics of the CC, CS and SS bonds, specifically: a marked difference in terms of elastic bonding constant (kcc≈100> kcs> kss≈3) and an energy of different bond (370, 310 and 270 kJ / mol respectively).

Application range

Thanks to Maris devulcanization process, the following materials can be recycled:

ELTs – End of Life Tires

Car tires
Truck tires
Off road tires

ACM – Polyacrilic Rubber
BR – Butadiene Rubber
EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
FKM – Fluoroelastomers
IIR – Butyl Rubber
IR – Isoprenic Rubber
NR – Natural Rubber
Q – Silicone Rubber
SBR – Styrene Butadiene Rubber

From chemical and rheological analysis carried out on devulcanized materials, it is found that the devulcanization yield can reach 60-80%.

The devulcanized material can be reused in the same original application, from 15 to 50% mixed with the virgin rubber while maintaining the desired mechanical properties. For different final applications it is possible to use devulcanized rubber in a blend with percentages higher than 50%.