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Transforming vulcanized styrene–butadiene waste into valuable raw material: an opportunity for high-impact polypropylene production

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Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) compounds with styrene–butadiene rubber residue (SBRr) from the footwear industry were produced, adding styrene-(ethylene–butylene)-styrene (SEBS) as a compatibilizer, with 20% and 30% of styrene (St.). The PP/SBRr and PP/SBRr/SEBS compounds were processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The addition of 30% SBRr did not compromise processability, as torque and melt flow index increased slightly compared to neat PP. Significant increases in impact strength were achieved for PP/SBRr/SEBS (10–20% St.) and PP/SBRr/SEBS (10–30% St.), with gains of 316% and 248% related to PP. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and Shore D hardness indicated greater flexibility for the PP/SBRr/SEBS, especially in the copolymer with 20% St. When the PP/SBRr system was made compatible with SEBS (30% St.), the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and Shore D hardness increased in relation to the PP/SBRr/SEBS (20% St.). Such behavior suggested that the SEBS copolymer (30% St.) was more effective in increasing the resistance to elastic deformation of the PP/SBRr/SEBS compounds, compared to SEBS (20% St.). The heat deflection temperature (HDT) indicated that even adding high content of SBRr to PP, the HDT was not severely affected, possibly due to its crosslinked character. PP/SBRr compatibilization with SEBS (20% St.) inhibited the PP crystalline peaks, as verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD). Stable morphology was achieved upon 10% of SEBS addition to PP/SBRr, providing proper interfacial adhesion and fine particles, contributing to toughening PP. Acquired results are promising for rubber recycling, aiming to produce high-impact polypropylene for containers and furniture accessories applications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brasilia/DF, Brazil) (Process: 150925/2022-0). Prof Edcleide Araújo (Number:312014/2020-1) and Prof Renate Wellen (Number: 303426/2021-7) are CNPq fellows. The authors deeply thank UFCG for the infrastructure and Kraton for donating the SEBS copolymer.

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  1. Academic Unit of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Av. Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Bodocongó, Campina Grande, Paraíba, 58429-900, Brazil

    Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Fabiano Santana da Silva, Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, Adriano Lima da Silva & Edcleide Maria Araújo

  2. Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil

    Renate Maria Ramos Wellen

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Luna, C.B.B., da Silva, F.S., da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, E. et al. Transforming vulcanized styrene–butadiene waste into valuable raw material: an opportunity for high-impact polypropylene production. Polym. Bull. 81, 423–447 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-023-04729-1

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