Desenvolvimento de blendas de poliestireno/composto de resíduo de borracha da indústria calçadista.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop blends of polystyrene/compound of rubber waste (PS/SBRr) of the shoes industry aiming to tough the PS and to reuse the SBRr. The blends were prepared in the compositions (70/30; 60/40 and 50/50 wt.%) and with 5 wt.% of styrene-butadiene-styrene compatibilizer (SBS). In order to study the effect of mixing sequence, the 50/50 wt.% composition, which presented the best result in impact strength, was selected. The sequences were PS/SBRr/SBS 47.5/47.5/5%; PS/SBRr + SBS 47.5/47.5 + 5% and PS/SBS + SBRr 47.5/5 + 47.5 wt.%. The blends were prepared by co-rotational twin screw extruder and molded by injection and characterized by torque rheometer, mechanical properties, heat deflection temperature (HDT), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From the mechanical tests, a reduction in elastic modulus and tensile strength and a significant increase in impact strength were observed in relation to PS. The HDT for all blends was reduced compared to the PS. The mixing sequence showed good results in mechanical properties, especially in composition PS/SBS + SBRr 47.5/ 5 + 47.5 wt.%. By SEM and TEM it can be seen that the compatibilized blends presented a better distribution of the rubber particles with a morphology that was more stable than the one that was not compatibilized. These results were confirmed by the highest impact strength values, indicating the compatibiliz er action that improves adhesion among the components of the blend. By DMTA it was possible to state that these blends are immiscible. Hence, the importance of the reusing of rubber wastes is evidenced both for toughening of the PS and for the reduction of problems caused to the environment, when they are discharged improperly.