Pelletized plastic compounds and method of manufacture

A method of pelletizing a plastic compound, said method comprising:

• dispersing from about 30% to about 95% by weight of thermoset rubber particles into a carrier resin to form the plastic compound, the carrier resin comprising an olefin block copolymer, wherein the olefin block copolymer comprises an ethylene-1-octene block copolymer and is present in the plastic compound in an amount of from about 5% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the plastic compound;
• extruding the plastic compound through a die having at least one die hole to form at least one extrudate filament;
• cutting the at least one extrudate filament to a predetermined length to form a plurality of pellets;
• conveying the pellets to a separator/centrifugal dryer in water having a temperature of about 170° F. or greater;
• and
• separating the pellets from the water in the separator/centrifugal dryer so that the pellets are substantially dry upon removal from the separator/centrifugal dryer, the pelletized plastic compound having a flex modulus of less than about 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

A pellet formed by a method comprising the steps of:

• mixing from about 30% to about 95% by weight of thermoset rubber particles and a carrier resin together to form a plastic compound, weight percent based on the total weight of the plastic compound, the carrier resin comprising an olefin block copolymer, wherein the olefin block copolymer comprises an ethylene-1-octene block copolymer and is present in the plastic compound in an amount of from about 5% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the plastic compound;
• directing the plastic compound into a pelletizer apparatus comprising a die and a knife blade;
• extruding the plastic compound through the die to form an extrudate;
• cutting the extrudate with the knife blade to form pellets of the plastic compound;
• conveying the pellets to a separator/centrifugal dryer by a stream of water having a temperature of about 170° F. or greater;
• and
• separating the pellets from the water in the separator/centrifugal dryer, the pellets substantially dry upon removal from the separator/centrifugal dryer, the pelletized plastic compound having a flex modulus of less than about 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

A method of pelletizing a plastic compound, said method comprising:

• mixing from about 30% to about 95% by weight of thermoset rubber particles and a carrier resin together to form a plastic compound, weight percent based on the total weight of the plastic compound, the carrier resin comprising an olefin block copolymer, wherein the olefin block copolymer comprises an ethylene-1-octene block copolymer and is present in the plastic compound in an amount of from about 5% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the plastic compound;
• directing the plastic compound into a pelletizer apparatus comprising a die and a knife blade;
• extruding the plastic compound through the die to form an extrudate;
• cutting the extrudate with the knife blade to form pellets of the plastic compound;
• conveying the pellets to a separator/centrifugal dryer by a stream of water having a temperature of about 170° F. or greater;
• and
• separating the pellets from the water in the separator/centrifugal dryer, the pellets substantially dry upon removal from the separator/centrifugal dryer, the pelletized plastic compound having a flex modulus of less than about 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi).