Recovery of vulcanized elastomers, using a microwave generation unity at IPEN

Abstract

One of the concerns with polymeric materials is the environment protection after its discard. The microwave can break the three-dimensional network of reticulation of some materials withom depolymerization, allowing a new vulcanzation with similar propertics to the original compound. The aim of this work is to usc this radiation to recover vulcanized rubber. These samples (vinyl ethylene-acetate and butyl rubber) are being prepared and irradiated in a microwave generation unity, developed and assembled at IPEN, using variable energy doses at a specific frequency The properties of these materials are being analyzed to verify the trustworthiness of the method.