Devulcanizing Recycled Rubber by Thermochemical Method

Extensive scientific research has been conducted to examine and understand the vulcanization process and its chemical reactions. However, it is equally crucial to thoroughly investigate the chemical reaction mechanisms involved in devulcanization for rubber products to be produced and consumed sustainably. This study used benzoyl peroxide as the devulcanizing agent for the thermochemical devulcanization process of waste rubber products (WRP). The devulcanization process was carried out in an internal mixer at the temperature of 150 °C and 180 °C using benzoyl peroxide as devulcanizing agent and under different types of conditions. The degree of devulcanization was estimated by measuring the crosslink density. The morphological changes of the devulcanized rubber were also examined. It was determined that the lowest crosslinking density was obtained when WRP was processed at benzoyl peroxide: rubber ratio (1.25:1) at 180 °C for 15 min. Other than that, the impact of WRP devulcanizing on the environmental effects targeting the climate action (SDG-13) was discussed in this study.