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Manufacturing of Polypropylene (PP)/ Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Thermoplastic Elastomers Using Ultrasonically Aided Extrusion

Liu, Jieruo
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1375290253

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science in Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Polymer Engineering.
Compounding ground tire rubber (GTR) from whole waste tires with thermoplastic polyolefins, such as polypropylene (PP), is a possible way to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers and also to recycle waste tires to solve a major environmental problem. The present study looks at the effect of PP/GTR mixing ratio, rubber particle size, type of extruder, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) compatibilizer and ultrasound on the mechanical and rheological properties of PP and PP/GTR blends. PP and GTR were compounded at ratios of 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30. Whole tire GTR particles of 40 and 140 mesh sizes were used. Both the single screw extruder (SSE) and twin screw extruder (TSE) without and with ultrasonic treatment were applied. PP-g-MA compatibilizer was added to PP/GTR 50/50 blends at concentration of 10 wt %. Rheological, tensile and impact properties of uncompatibilized and compatibilized PP/GTR 50/50 blends were compared. The ultlasonic treatment was carried out at a flow rate of 2 lbs/hr and amplitudes of 5, 7.5 and 10 µm. Pressure and ultrasonic power consumption were measured. The Young’s modulus and the elongation at break of the untreated and ultrasonically treated PP is respectively found to be higher and lower in SSE than that in TSE, with the effect on the tensile strength being insignificant. Complex viscosity of the ultrasonically treated PP changes with amplitude in a complex way depending on the type of extruder. An increase or decrease of viscosity with amplitude is observed. Rubber particles of PP/GTR 50/50 blends of both meshes are reduced in sizes, with their roughness increasing more in TSE than in SSE. This leads to a higher viscosity of 50/50 blends in TSE. Complex viscosity of blends from both SSE and TSE increases with an addition of GTR particles. The viscosity of PP/GTR blends of various ratios containing 140 mesh is lower than that of 40 mesh blends. This is due to a lower gel fraction of 140 mesh GTR. Blends with the smaller rubber particle size show much higher elongation at break, indicating a better interaction between the PP and GTR. The addition of the compatibilizer improves mechanical properties of blends. In particular, the tensile strength reaches 19 MPa, and the elongation at break increases to 50%. The highest effect of ultrasound is observed for PP/GTR 70/30 blends. Specifically for PP/GTR 70/30 containing 140 mesh rubber from TSE, the viscosity drops significantly at an amplitude of 10 µm, and the Young’s modulus and elongation at break get improved. This indicates that the breakup of molecular chains leads to creation of macroradicals of components, which recombine, causing an increase in tensile properties.
Avraam Isayev, Dr. (Advisor)
Thein Kyu, Dr. (Committee Member)
Youngjin Min, Dr. (Committee Member)
80 p.
Polymers

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Citations

  • Liu, J. (2013). Manufacturing of Polypropylene (PP)/ Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Thermoplastic Elastomers Using Ultrasonically Aided Extrusion [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1375290253

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Liu, Jieruo. Manufacturing of Polypropylene (PP)/ Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Thermoplastic Elastomers Using Ultrasonically Aided Extrusion . 2013. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1375290253.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Liu, Jieruo. "Manufacturing of Polypropylene (PP)/ Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Thermoplastic Elastomers Using Ultrasonically Aided Extrusion ." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1375290253

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.