Design of self-healing styrene-butadiene rubber compounds with ground tire rubber-based reinforcing additives by means of DoE methodology

In the effort to find a balance between mechanical properties of self-healing styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds, before and after macroscopic damage, study based on use devulcanised tire residue (dGTR) as reinforcement has been carried out. Two full factorial designs their analysis variance (ANOVA) were used overcome challenge relating multiple microstructural variables dGTR compounds in pristine healed states. The design experiments (DoE) predict that dGTR-based reinforcements, with decrease network density higher than 50%, enables incorporation more 40 phr reinforcing filler, increasing tensile strength state (more 4 times) mitigating its negative effect healing process. Experimental tests have validated these theoretical predictions. This research demonstrates it is not necessary control selectivity devulcanisation Therefore, demonstrated only by surface breakage possible incorporate significant amounts from simple recycling processes order improve performance high value-added formulations, such materials.