Why should we develop environmentally benign rubber materials?

(55) Considering the potential impact of both the particles and leaching additives on human health and wildlife (56,57) and with the anticipated increase in tire runoff due to increased volume of traffic, the development of environmentally benign rubber materials is desirable.

What is natural rubber (NR)?

Natural rubber (NR) is well known as renewable biobased polymer that has been widely used in a wide variety of applications ranging from ordinary household to aerospace products.

Can microalgal biomass be used as filler in rubber composites?

In this study, the researchers investigated using microalgal biomass as filler in rubber composites. They assessed the filler-matrix interaction by evaluating the processability, mechanical characteristics, Payne effect, and swelling properties of the MB/CB-filled composites and compared them to CB-filled composites.

Can natural rubbers be degraded?

While also conventional natural and synthetic rubbers can be degraded by certain microorganisms, (5) most studies have demonstrated this using isolated strains under idealized conditions, (49,50) while the degradation behavior of rubbers in nonspecific, natural environments is less well investigated.

Can vulcanization additives prevent the degradation of rubber under mild conditions?

Neither the cross-linked nature of the material nor the vulcanization additives prevented the substantial degradation of this rubber under mild conditions.

What is devulcanization of rubber?

Devulcanization involves the selective breaking of the sulfur cross-links by chemical, biological, or physical means, such as thermal or mechanical treatment. However, the parallel breaking of rubber polymer chains under the harsh conditions required unavoidably compromises the material properties of the resulting devulcanized rubbers.