DEVULCANIZED RUBBER AND METHODS

摘要

A system for devulcanizing rubber by contacting vulcanized rubber with a turpentine liquid in a reaction mixture in the absence of an alkali metal.

主权项

1. A method for reducing the sulfur content of vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of:
providing a vulcanized rubber having a sulfur content including sulfur cross-links; and, contacting said vulcanized rubber with a devulcanizing agent in a reaction mixture, the devulcanizing agent being a turpentine liquid, wherein said turpentine liquid is present in an amount sufficient such that said turpentine liquid acts to substantially to break said cross-links and to reduce said sulfur content of said vulcanized rubber and wherein the action of said turpentine liquid results in substantial devulcanization of said vulcanized rubber, wherein the sulfur content of said rubber is reduced to about 0.03 wt. %.