Method of devulcanizing a cross-linked elastomeric material
A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.
1. A method of devulcanizing a thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, comprising subjecting a batch of the material to a mechanical high shear mixing process in a high shear mixer at a temperature of less than 80° C. in the presence of an amount of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of a biological catalyst having a thiol terminus to restore the material to a pre-vulcanized state suitable for revulcanization into useful products.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biological catalyst is an amino acid.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is cysteine.
4. A method of devulcanizing a thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, comprising subjecting a batch of the material to a mechanical high shear mixing process in a high shear mixer at a temperature of less than 80° C. in the presence of an amount of 0.5 to 2% by L-ctysteine to restore the material to a pre-vulcanized state suitable for revulcanization into useful products.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3 , comprising about 1% by wt. L-cysteine.
6. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the mixing process is carried out at temperature of about 60° C.
7. A method of devulcanizing a thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, comprising subjecting a batch of the material to a mechanical high shear mixing process in a high shear mixer at a temperature of less than 80° C. in the presence of an amount of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of cystine to restore the material to a pre-vulcanized state suitable for revulcanization into useful products.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked elastomer material is scrap rubber.