Recycling Scrap Crosslinked Urethane Polymers
Abstract A. Scrap LRM polymers can be ground to powder on the Banbury operating at ambient temperature with cooling of the rotors and jacket. Particle size reduction can be accomplished in 5 min at 180 rpm. B. Powdered LRM polymer can be blended with TPU up to 50 wt.% and the composite compression molded to give the same properties as the TPU. C. Powdered LRM polymer can be blended with nitrile, chloroprene, and EPDM rubbers to give incompatible composites. The powdered LRM polymer acts in a manner similar to typical nonreinforcing fillers. D. It is possible to degrade powdered LRM polymers to a tacky mass at 180°C, which behaves much like a typical extender oil, when blended with nitrile and chloroprene rubbers. It is speculated that the degraded urethane should show a high degree of permanency in such blends. E. Addition of the urethane polymer to the rubber stocks does not interfere with the standard sulfur-curing mechanisms. F. Scrap HR foam can be ground to a powder in the Banbury in a manner similar to LRM scrap. G. A blend of 5 phr of powdered foam with a new HR foam formulation was machine processable. Addition of the powder had only a minor effect on the properties of the new foam.