Thermoplastic elastomers based on waste rubber and plastics

This paper reviews the utilization of waste rubber and waste plastics for the preparation of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). TPEs based on ground rubber tire (GRT), waste EPDM rubber, waste nitrile rubber, recycled rubber, latex waste, and waste plastics are described with respect to composition and physical properties. It is found that part of the rubber phase or plastics phase or both in the rubber-plastics blend can be replaced with corresponding waste polymer for the preparation of thermoplastic elastomers. In many cases, the materials prepared from waste polymers show properties comparable to those prepared from fresh polymers. However, in some cases, the materials prepared from waste rubber or waste plastics cannot be classified as TPEs, as the blend compositions show very low elongation at break. Modification of the waste polymer or the use of compatibilizers result in stronger composites.