Effect of Dynamic Revulcanization in the Mechanical Properties of Blends Composed of High -Density Polyethylene/Ground Tire Rubber Devulcanized by Microwaves

The fmal disposal of end-of-life tires is a serious global problem, which can lead to socio-environmental problems when they are not properly disposed of Countries around the world have laws on the environmentally correct fmal disposal of end-of-life tires and largely are recycled from the use of their calorific power. The production of polymeric blends containing these tires and thermoplastic polymers is a way to add value to the material, but obtaining satisfactory mechanical properties is often seen as a challenge. In the present work, the influence of dynamic revulcanization in the mechanical properties of blends composed of ground tire rubber (GTR)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at different concentrations is analyzed. Seeking to obtain morphologies of more refined phases, the rubber phase was previously devulcanized by the action of microwaves. The results showed that the dynamic vulcanization was not able to significantly influence the mechanical properties of the blends, due to the degradation of the rubber phase.