Preparation of free-flowing crumb rubber composition

Abstract

By utilizing the process of the present invention, a free-flowing crumb rubber composition can be easily prepared on a commercial scale. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a free-flowing crumb rubber composition which comprises the steps of: (1) adding a wax emulsion to a latex of a rubbery polymer to produce a latex which contains the wax, wherein the wax has a melting point which is within the range of about 40.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C.; (2) agitating the latex which contains the wax in a manner whereby the wax is distributed throughout the latex; (3) coagulating the latex which contains the wax to produce a slurry of wax coated crumb rubber in water; (4) recovering the wax-coated crumb rubber from the water in the slurry; and (5) drying the wax-coated rubbery polymer in a hot air medium under forced motion to produce the free-flowing crumb rubber composition, wherein the hot air medium is at a temperature which is within the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 99.degree. C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.