A brilliant eco innovation - reclaimed rubber

  geetika gera    January 31, 2013    1253

 

Rubber is a natural resource that has been used widely all over the world for a very long time, for a variety of purposes. Reclaimed rubber is basically natural or synthetic rubber obtained from scrap and prepared for reuse by adding the fragmented scrap in hot caustic solution, along with reclaiming agents. Rubber is normally available in two forms, natural and synthetic. The natural rubber is obtained from plants and the synthetic rubber is manufactured through the process of polymerization. As the extraction of both, natural and synthetic rubber, is expensive and involves long processes, recycling is very popular for its many benefits. Many businesses have realized the importance of recycling and have come with Eco innovations to manufacture recycled rubber in bulk quantities for domestic and global markets. India is widely acknowledged as the prime exporter of recycled all across the globe, being the largest producer of reclaimed rubber. Different articles, like flooring materials, aircraft tires, tractor tires, rubber mats, retreated tires batteries and other goods are made out of reclaimed rubber. Apart from industrial items, products of everyday use can also be manufactured from reclaimed rubber. Offering various degrees of quality, affordability and other factors, there are several manufacturers that make this rubber today. How reclaimed rubber has an edge Reclaimed rubber is relatively much cheaper than natural and synthetic rubbers. Less energy is required during the process of recycling, as compared to manufacturing synthetic rubber. Reclaimed rubber is suited to a number of purposes, like making material for flooring. Mulch from reclaimed rubber is used in gardens which is more durable when compared to other varieties of mulches. Reclaimed rubber mixed with concrete makes for building materials that act as thermal insulators and show sound absorption properties. Innovative eco-products made from reclaimed rubber - Rubberized Asphalt: The ground rubber, also known as crumb rubber, is normally blended into asphalt to improve its performance. There is a huge market for reclaimed rubber, as rubberized asphalt offers advantages like greater elasticity and increased resistance to cracking and ageing. This greatly reduces the maintenance and replacement costs of roads. Rubberized Flooring: Flooring made of reclaimed rubber is attractive and durable, with the recent introduction of new designs and colors making it even more popular. Outdoor Surfaces: Ground rubber, made of recycled rubber, is being increasingly used for laying trails, athletic turfs, garden mulches and playground surfaces. It is often used to soften the area around the playgrounds, thus helping cushion falls and making the playgrounds safer. It also adds a shock-absorbing component to various athletic fields and tracks. Railroad Ties: Lasting up to 90 years, rubber-encased railroad ties are very strong and durable. These ties are generally made in layers. The core holds a concrete filled steel beam, surrounded by 80 pounds of ground rubber. Such a railroad tie is around 200 times stronger than a traditional tie. Reclaimed rubber is thus, one of the most widely used eco-innovations, which makes a marked difference in the usage, and production of rubber.
 Article keywords:
reclaim rubber, reclaimed rubber

 

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