Oldham, Oldham & Wilson Co.
Continuous ultrasonic devulcanization of vulcanized elastomers
 This invention relates to a continuous ultrasonic method and apparatus for breaking the carbon-sulfur (C--S), sulfur-sulfur (S--S), and if desired, carbon-carbon (C--C) bonds in a vulcanized elastomer. It is well known that vulcanized elastomers having a three-dimensional chemical network, cannot flow under the effect of heat and/or pressure. This creates a huge problem in the recycling of used tires and other elastomeric products. Through the application of certain levels of ultrasonic amplitudes in the presence of pressure and optionally heat, the three-dimensional network of vulcanized elastomer can be broken down. As a most desirable consequence, ultrasonically treated cured rubber becomes soft, thereby enabling this material to be reprocessed and shaped in a manner similar to that employed with uncured elastomers. 
The University of Akron
B B B B Y B B C
B29K B01J B29B B01J Y02W B29B B06B C08C
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Jianhua Avraam
Chen Isayev