DEVULCANIZATION
Find everything you need to know about devulcanization and recycled rubber here.
A unique process now developed in Portugal.
A unique process now developed in Portugal.
What is rubber vulcanization?
It’s a process in which the rubber is mixed with sulfur and exposed to heat. The result is a hard and durable rubber product – perfect for making tires, soles and all types and rubber components.
The vulcanization process provides unique mechanical properties, but is not easily reversed. Rubberlink is one of the few industrial units that is able to reverse the vulcanization process of rubber, recycling it so that it can be used again – devulcanization.
What is rubber devulcanization?
Devulcanization is a process that reverses the “vulcanization” of rubber, recycling it so that it can be vulcanized again. This process converts rubber waste into a new “virgin” raw material.
Is devulcanized rubber really 100% recycled?
Yes. Devulcanized rubber is a 100% recycled rubber compound. At Rubberlink, devulcanization is done only through a thermomechanical process. No chemicals are used in the process and therefore the integrity of the original formulation of the rubber that is being recycled is preserved. The conversion is more than 99% efficient and does not produce residual by-products.
How is devulcanization done?
Devulcanization causes the selective breakdown of the sulfur-sulfur (S-S) and carbon-sulfur (C-S) chemical bonds, maintaining the basic structure of the carbon-hydrogen chains resulting in a product that maintains almost entirely the technical characteristics of its original formulation.
What types of rubber can be devulcanized?
Rubberlink’s thermo-mechanical devulcanization applies to the main sulfur-vulcanized elastomers, such as NR, SBR, NBR, EPDM, IR, Butyl.
What percentage of devulcanized rubber can be incorporated into a virgin rubber matrix?
Devulcanized rubber offers significantly higher performance compared to loads of rubber granules, micronized rubber or other compounds. Tests confirm that up to 90% of virgin material can be replaced. Devulcanized rubber can be mixed with natural rubber or other types of polymers (SBR, EPDM, TPV, etc.) to produce new compounds without generating a significant decrease in mechanical and physical properties.
What are the differences between virgin rubber and devulcanized rubber?
According to the tests carried out by the Lisbon Technical Superior Institute (IST), the characteristics of devulcanized rubber are very close to those of virgin rubber, as shown in the table below:
| Raw Material |
Rupture stress (MPa) |
Tensile strength (MPa) |
Stretching rupture |
| Devulcanized rubber | 8 to 18 | 5 to 6 | 300 to 350 |
| Virgin rubber | 12 to 28 | 5 to 7 | 400 to 800 |
Rupture stress (MPa)
Devulcanized rubber – 8 to 18
Virgin rubber – 12 to 28
Tensile strength (MPa)
Devulcanized rubber – 5 to 6
Virgin rubber – 5 to 7
Stretching rupture (&)
Devulcanized rubber – 300 to 350
Virgin rubber – 400 to 800
Advantages of devulcanized rubber
High quality recycled raw material
It closely matches the characteristics of natural and synthetic rubber.
Reduced carbon footprint
It’s recycled and infinitely recyclable, contributing to a sustainable circular economy;
Safe and sustainable
Complies with current European REACH regulations. Hazardous chemicals and hazardous emissions are not used during production.
Infinite reuse
Devulcanized rubber can repeat the entire process of incorporation into production (cooking) and subsequent devulcanization of its residues, over and over again.
Alternative to natural and synthetic rubber
It can replace natural and synthetic rubber up to 90% without loss of quality.
Effective and economical
It’s more effective than other similar solutions in the world, having a much higher incorporation, and a lower cost, not subject to fluctuating oil prices.
Tested and certified
Rubberlink’s devulcanized rubber is tested and certified by the main laboratories in the world.
Fast production
It’s fast and continuous in production, and therefore well adapted to industrial environments.
Ask for a sample
Rubberlink supplies devulcanized rubber in blanket or powder.
Ask for a sample now and check its quality.
Ask for a sample now and check its quality.