Methods of functionalizing reclaimed elastomer material and compositions comprising the same

Abstract

A method of functionalizing reclaimed elastomer material is described. The method involves subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material have a size of 60 mesh or smaller. The reclaimed elastomer material can be subjected to shear in the presence of a modifier which selectively promotes the cleavage of inter-chain bonds in the reclaimed elastomer material. A functionalized reclaimed elastomer material made by a method as described above and an elastomer compound which comprises the functionalized reclaimed elastomer material are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elastomer compound comprising:
 uncured elastomer;   functionalized reclaimed elastomer material, wherein the reclaimed elastomer material is functionalized by subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprising a size less than or equal to 40 mesh to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved;   a filler; and   a crosslinking agent.   
     
     
         2 . The elastomer compound of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprise a size less than or equal to 50 mesh. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomer compound of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material comprise a size less than or equal to 80 mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomer compound of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer compound comprises between 3% and 30% by weight of the functionalized reclaimed elastomer material. 
     
     
         5 . An article of manufacture comprising a cross-linked elastomer compound as set forth in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The article of manufacture of  claim 5 , wherein the article of manufacture is a tire. 
     
     
         7 . A functionalized reclaimed elastomer material made by the method comprising subjecting particles of the reclaimed elastomer material to shear at temperatures less than 100° C. such that inter-chain bonds of the reclaimed elastomer material are cleaved, wherein the particles of the reclaimed elastomer material have a size less than or equal to 40 mesh.