At Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, a way to reduce the cost of producing rubber has been found

Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies (VSUET) has developed and patented a new method for producing emulsion rubbers, which can reduce costs in tire production, reports TASS, citing the university's press service.

It is reported that the new method of obtaining rubber is based on the use of a hybrid coagulant consisting of sodium chloride and tetraphenylphosphonium bromide. "This method allows us to expand the range of promising coagulating agents, reduce their consumption, stabilize the coagulation process, reduce environmental pollution and water consumption," said one of the authors of the invention, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of VSUET Sergei Nikulin.

Emulsion rubbers account for about 50% of the global consumption of synthetic rubbers, and the most efficient materials obtained by the method of emulsion copolymerization are butadiene-styrene rubbers, which are well compatible with other ingredients of rubber compounds and compatible with other general-purpose rubbers. At the same time, as noted at VSUET, current technologies for producing emulsion rubbers are associated with low efficiency of coagulants, significant losses of rubber, and environmental pollution with wastewater.

"Therefore, considering the possibility of using benzyltrimethylammonium chloride in the processes of rubber extraction and developing technological solutions using this agent is of great scientific and practical importance and will contribute to the expansion of the range of substances that act as effective coagulants," the university said.

According to scientists, the new technology will reduce the cost of producing rubber due to the use of cheaper ingredients, as well as a reduction in water and electricity consumption.

Photo: VSUET