Development and characterization of composites with ground elastomeric vulcanized scraps as filler

Mechanical recycling of vulcanized rubber scraps is a low-cost alternative in the search for the recovery of this kind of industrial solid waste. The aim of this study is to incorporate styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) industrial scraps into a base formulation of SBR used in the fabrication process of extruded profiles. Rheometric, mechanical and morphological characteristics of this base formulation with industrial scrap powder (SBR-r) added as filler were evaluated. Eight composites with different proportions, varying from 10 to 80 phr (parts for hundred of rubber) of SBR-r were prepared and the results were compared with the control sample (base formulation with 0 phr of SBR-r). The results indicated that the incorporation of rubber powder did not significantly affect the cure characteristics of the composites. The mechanical properties such as tensile and tear strength showed that up to 50 phr of SBR-r can be added without adversely affecting these properties. Micrographs corroborated the mechanical results, indicating the homogeneity of the scraps in the elastomeric matrix.