Rubber is a part of our everyday lives as it is used in so many products and applications. From automobile tires to the soles of your shoes, rubber is everywhere. Due to the impact that certain materials can have on the environment, many people are becoming more and more conscious about finding effective ways to combat unnecessary waste. If you are trying to find the right material for your application, you may wonder, can rubber be recycled? Below you will find more information on rubber, its various uses, and the major benefits of the material.
Can Rubber Be Recycled?
Recycling can be highly beneficial as you can easily create new products with old materials. People often associated recycling with materials such as paper, plastic, metal, glass, and even water. However, rubber can also be recycled. Rubber is often recycled to create more rubber products. Rubber is a common material used in a variety of different applications in everyone’s daily life. Tires, gyms, children’s playgrounds, shoes, and even kitchen items are either made of or utilize rubber. One of the most common sources of recycled rubber is automobile tires. Recycling old tires is great for the environment as it reduces waste and pollution.
The Recycled Tire Process
Because recycled rubber products are mostly comprised of rubber from old tires, you may wonder what the process is like. Tires are made from both elastomers and metal fibers. With that, the rubber needs to be extracted from the tires in order to be recycled and repurposed into something else. Additionally, the rubber has been vulcanized. Vulcanization involves the process of treating and heating the rubber with sulfur. This strengthens the bonds between the chemical compounds.
Despite the benefits of vulcanization for tire production, this process must be undone to be able to use the rubber material in another application. Once the tires are separated from the other materials, they turn into a crumb-like substance. They are then treated and processed mechanically, and the crumbs are molded into a finished product. The finished product is most often a rubber roll which can be cut to make industrial equipment, injection molding, industrial pads, gaskets, and a number of other products.
Quality of Recycled Rubber
Recycled rubber can be customized to work in a variety of applications and products. The recycling process transforms the old rubber into a new product that is just as high quality as if it was made with new rubber. In fact, they are just as durable and reliable. In many cases, they can perform better than non-rubber alternatives. One of the major benefits of recycled rubber is that it is cost-effective. These are great incentives to opt for recycled rubber as the material also reduces waste and is better for the environment.
Benefits of Recycled Rubber
Your project will inevitably benefit from recycled rubber. However, consider the additional benefits of choosing recycled rubber.
- Less Energy Consumption: Significant amounts of energy are used in the production of rubber. Recycled rubber eliminates some of the energy consumption by creating products with recycled materials.
- Less Pressure on Natural Rubber: Using and recycling synthetic materials can ensure that natural rubber is preserved much more effectively.
- Conserves Landfill Space: Reusing materials that are abundantly used, such as rubber, helps free up landfill space.
Real Seal Specialty Seals
Real Seal manufacturers and distributes seal products and mechanical component goods. They focused on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials to meet the needs of your application. Real Seal specialty seals are the best on the market due to their durability and quality. The team of experts at Real Seal are skilled in customizing the product to meet your unique project needs. Contact their team today for more information!
