Mechanochemical devulcanization and gamma irradiation of devulcanized waste rubber/high density polyethylene thermoplastic elastomer

Waste rubber (WR) powder was introduced in a two-roll mill in the presence of various ratios of curatives to develop sheets of devulcanized waste rubber (DWR). The product has been investigated by FTIR, TGA and SEM. A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was prepared by blending the obtained DWR with high density polyethylene (HDPE) at different feed ratios under conditions of gamma irradiation, 25, 50, 100, and 150 kGy. The mechanical parameters of the blend: tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness (Shore D) were studied. In addition, blend characterization using FTIR spectra, gel fraction, TGA and SEM was discussed. (C) 2013 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.