Reclaiming of waste guayule natural rubber vulcanizate—reclaim rubber for green tire applications: An approach for sustainable development

This article illustrates the reclaiming of guayule natural rubber (GNR) vulcanizate by bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT), and as-grown reclaim rubber facilitates the silica dispersion in GNR product application without adding any coupling agent. This article deals with the performance evaluation of silica-filled revulcanizates with promising application in green tire. The extent of reclaiming was monitored through the measurement of sol content, cross-link density, Mooney viscosity, and degree of reclaiming. The differential scanning calorimetry study was carried out to evaluate the fraction of immobilized polymer chains and its dependence on cross-link density of the vulcanizates. The Fourier transform infrared study and also sulfur analysis independently indicate the attachment of the fragmented TESPT with the polymer chain and cross-link bonds. The study of mechanical properties clearly shows that in revulcanized GNR, the optimum property is achieved when reclaiming time is set for 40 ...