Pulverization of rubber under high compression and shear

Non-cryogenic pulverization of rubber material was obtained under high comp ression and shear using a modified Bridgman Anvil apparatus. The effects of operating variables, such as temperature, normal and shear forces, shear r ate, and residence time were examined, and optimum conditions for obtaining desired particle size distribution with minimum agglomeration were identif ied. Based on our strain energy storage theory, a criterion of pulverizatio n was obtained and computational analysis of deformation of rubber using a Mooney-type equation for stored energy was performed. The numerical values for strain energy distribution in a rubber disk, which indicate potential p ulverization under different compression and shear forces, were obtained us ing the ANSYS computer program. This information was used as a guide to obt ain optimum operating conditions and design parameters for optimum design o f the solid state shear extrusion (SSSE) pulverization process [H. Arastoop our, Single Screw Extruder for Solid State Shear Extrusion Pulverization, U .S. Patent No. 8,101,468 (1998)]. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.