Microwave devulcanization of rubber
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsDonald S. Novotny, Richard L. Marsh, Frank C. Masters, David N. Tally
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Abstract
Elastomer waste may be devulcanized without depolymerization to a material capable of recompounding and revulcanization into a product having physical properties essentially equivalent to the original vulcanizate. Devulcanization is accomplished by application of a controlled dose of microwave energy to sized material, preferably in a continuous process.
Claims10
The method of devulcanizing sulfur-vulcanized elastomer containing polar groups which comprises applying a controlled dose of microwave energy of between 915 and 2450 MHz and between 41 and 177 watt-hours per pound in an amount sufficient to sever substantially all carbon-sulfur and sulfur-sulfur bonds and insufficient to sever significant amount of carbon-carbon bonds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.