Blending LLDPE and ground rubber tires

In this article, a set of blends was prepared from ground rubber tires (GRT) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The effects of kneading time and functional polymers on the mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. It was found that the blend which contained styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer as functional polymer, with a kneading time of 20 minutes, behaved best with regard to mechanical properties, and that the utilization of GRT could reach as high as 61%. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that good adhesion between the particles and the surrounding LLDPE matrix was achieved in the blend.