Obtaining and Characterizing a Polymer Compound Based on NBR Elastomer and Functionalized Post-Consumer Rubber Waste

This work presents the obtaining and characterization of elastomeric compounds based on butadiene-co-acrylonitrile rubber and NBR rubber waste (from the footwear industry) that replaces the active silicon dioxide filler. The rubber waste was cryogenically ground to micrometric dimensions and functionalized with monoethylene glycol (MEG). After grinding, it is functionalized with monoethylene glycol (MEG) in a proportion of 20% at a temperature of 60°C. By recycling and reusing vulcanized rubber waste (NBR), as well as by means of advanced technologies, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of product quality, the protection of the environment through waste recycling, and most importantly the protection of human health through the elimination of noxious substances during their burning and, of course, increasing the turnover of economic agents. The polymer compounds obtained after conditioning at ambient temperatures were characterized according to the standards in force for the footwear industry, in terms of physical-mechanical normal state and accelerated aging at 70°C for 168 h and FT-IR spectroscopy. The polymer composites based on NBR rubber and functionalized rubber waste present optimal values according to the standards and are used in the processing of general-purpose footwear.