Optimization of the vulcanization parameters for ethylene–propylene–diene termonomer (EPDM)/ground waste tyre composite using response surface methodology

The utilization of waste tyre in a green way would definitely mitigate the possible risks of the waste tyre accumulation. A green way to solution for the waste tyre problem is recycling. However, it is necessary to optimize the recycling process parameters to come up with the optimum conditions for the effective reuse of the waste tyre. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to model and optimize the parameters of curing of EPDM and waste tyre composite for the purpose of waste tyre recycling. EPDM with different loadings of ground waste tyre composites were prepared. Mechanical, thermal, and Soxhlet extraction tests were carried out for the samples. RSM was applied and process parameters were optimized. It was seen that the most effective parameter was the curing temperature. The optimal values of the parameters were determined as curing temperature of 172.1 °C, curing pressure of 15.0 MPa and ground waste tyre content of 14.8% by weight. To test the parameters determined from optimization study, the samples were prepared under optimum conditions, and it was shown that the samples prepared according to the optimum conditions have better thermal, mechanical, and curing properties. The results were heartening to pursue the waste tyre recycling option with a considerable amount of ground waste tyre content within the final composite material.