Old
tire, once considered little more than waste, are getting new
respect, thanks to the new research carried out at various
institutions.
According
to the experts in the cryogenic fine grinding of rubber and other
materials, a technology was developed that freezes
scrap tire material with liquid nitrogen. The process
transforms the rubber into a brittle form that can then be
pulverized into a fine powder and used in variety of products
such as paints, coatings, and sealants. Products made with the
engineered powder take on some of the qualities of rubber,
such as elasticity and impact resistance.
The
environmental impact could be significant. According to the
latest research, one facility of 83,000 square-foot-plant has a zero carbon footprint and can
produce 100 million pounds of rubber annually. That's
equivalent to removing six million scrap tires from the
environment.
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