Vulcanized Rubber Tires
Contents
Basics
- Can also be written as "Tyre" but more google results for Tire
- The most common type of tire
- Often a form of Municipal Solid Waste, and can't be recycled easily as they are a Thermoset Plastic...that has also been Vulcanized
- Given how Sulfur Vulcanization is common, if Incinerated or Pyrolysed the gas stream would REQUIRE a Gas Scrubber , also sulfur may contaminate the Syngas and/or other fuel/chemicals produced if gasification is done, similar issues arise with Pyrolysis
- Very durable
- Waterproof if cut into sections and/or made into a sheet
- From the wikipedia page:
- "Tires can trap methane gases, causing them to become buoyant, or bubble to the surface. This 'bubbling' effect can damage landfill liners"
- Can they be used as a Molecular Seive for Methane Concentration such as in a Biogas Upgrader ?!?
Processing Methods
Cutting
- Any good jigs?
- Using a CNC Router or CNC Mill may work well
- Also recovered chippings (in accordance with the Cleaner Machining ) could be used as a source for Shredded Vulcanized Rubber Tires without the need for a Shredder
Lasercutting
- Can they be cut with a Lasercutter
- Main concern is vapors if it CAN be done
- This Group does it with bike tires it seems?
- May not be vulcanized though
- This Page on Lasercutting Neoprene Rubber ?
Sewing
- Can be sewn into products or textiles
Welding
- Thermally probably can't work
- Any chemical methods?
Derivitive Products
- Blasting Mats
- Seals / O-Rings ? (Use one with no tread (left), or remove it, then cut to shape? )
- Shredded Vulcanized Rubber Tires
- Fenders for boats/docks etc either utilizing flat tires or stacked sheets (User: Eric saw this done on a Tug Boat and it was really neat; Reuse AND cost savings!)
- Vulcanized Rubber Tire Shingles
- Vulcanized Rubber Tire Textile
- Vulcanized Rubber Tire Based Shoes
Enviromental/Health Concerns
- Need data on potential Leaching hazards
- Also hard info on fumes from Incineration , Pyrolysis , or Laser Cutting / Torch Cutting
- Roadways produce Microplastics in the form of Tire Wear Particles
- See Also Non-Exhaust Emissions
- A 2022 Study Titled “Concentrations of tire wear microplastics and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles in the road environment”
- ”Cody’s Lab” did an interesting expiremwnt that produced pure platnum from collected highway dust, which is an interesting potential “ecosystem” type thing this could lead to, Open Source Street Sweeper then dust processing? Loft but interesting goal
Internal Links
- Rubber
- Vulcanization
- Rubberized Asphalt Concrete
- Tire-Derived Fuel (Not reccomended (outside of at the end of a Life Cycle containing other uses) due to complexity of the Pollution Control Systems that would be needed, and better alternative use cases)
- For More Information More Relevant For Conceptual Design/BOM's:
