METHODS OF FUNCTIONALIZING RECLAIMED ELASTOMER MATERIAL AND COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THE SAME
A method of functionalizing reclaimed elastomer material is described. The method involves subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material have a size of 60 mesh or smaller. The reclaimed elastomer material can be subjected to shear in the presence of a modifier which selectively promotes the cleavage of inter-chain bonds in the reclaimed elastomer material. A functionalized reclaimed elastomer material made by a method as described above and an elastomer compound which comprises the functionalized reclaimed elastomer material are also described.
1 . An elastomer compound comprising:
uncured elastomer;
functionalized reclaimed elastomer material, wherein the reclaimed elastomer material is functionalized by subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprising a size less than or equal to 40 mesh to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved;
a filler; and
a crosslinking agent.
2 . The elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprise a size less than or equal to 50 mesh.
3 . The elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprise a size less than or equal to 80 mesh.
4 . The elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer compound comprises between 3% and 30% by weight of the functionalized reclaimed elastomer material.
5 . An article of manufacture comprising a cross-linked elastomer compound as set forth in claim 1 .
6 . The article of manufacture of claim 5 , wherein the article of manufacture is a tire.
7 . A functionalized reclaimed elastomer material made by the method comprising subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved, wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material have a size less than or equal to 40 mesh.