HSM downcycling
Downcycling is where a recycled material is used for an application that has a reduced specification.
Currently, granulated tyre materials are considered for downcycling due to:
the unknown nature of the material degradation during the life time of the product.
For a tyre, this could be the number of thermal cycles it has been subjected to as well as the levels of ozone and UV attack during its life.the composite structure of the materials.
Modern tyres are complex composites with layers of materials, each engineered to carry out a specific task. Often, more than 5 base compounds exist in a tyre. In many cases, these formulations are altered from time to time as manufacturers take advantage of the latest developments or where they need to meet the latest legislative demands. Examples of this are the introduction of silica and the reduction of zinc.These formulations also alter across manufacturers. The granulation industry, in meeting its cost restrictions, typically creates a random blend of polymers consisting of all the materials in the tyre, across a range of manufacturers.
contamination.
Tyres contain a range of metal and fibre reinforcing materials that, if not effectively removed, will contaminate the new application. In addition, many used tyres are contaminated with mud, stones, glass and other materials picked up during the tyre's life or during the disposal process.
Tyre section showing layers in a typical radial tyre.
(source: tireaccidents)
Whilst some recycling of post consumer materials back into tyres is currently carried out, and is demonstrably possible using HSM processing, this is usually restricted to selected materials in non safety-critical or low performance applications such as tread stock and butyl inner tubes.
Using HSM technology, a wide variety of applications can be made. These can be either:
substitute products.
HSM processed materials can be used to significantly reduce the cost of a number of existing products in the market. This includes products that are currently manufactured using rubber granulate glued together using a urethane binder. Applications include playground tiles, underlay, carpet backing and numerous simple rubber productsnew products.
As a part of our continuous development programme, a number of new products are being developed together with partners who are active in the application markets.new technologies.
HSM technology can be applied to produce new and novel materials and associated technologies. Information on these developments is restricted in order to protect the associated IPR.
