Highlights

 •
Colors used in playground crumb rubbers influence their trace element
chemistry.
 •
Zinc concentrations can be ×10 lower in some crumb rubber samples than
others.
 •
Many different OPE flame retardants and plasticizers are present in crumb
rubbers.
 •
Detailed chemical data on these materials should be made easily available
to buyers.

We revisit current understanding of the chemical complexity of different

kinds of particulate vulcanized elastomers widely used in playgrounds and
sports fields, adding new data on trace element and organophosphate
ester contents of used tire and EDPM crumb rubber. Enrichments in
elements such as Zn, S, Co, Bi and Nd relate to the vulcanized mixtures
created during manufacture. Zinc concentrations vary across an order of
magnitude, being highest in our used tire particulate samples (up to 2.4 %).
In contrast, other trace element variations are due to colored pigments
causing increases in Cu and Zr (blue), Cr (green), and Fe and Sn (red and
yellow) concentrations. The use of pale fillers such as CaCO3 and clay
minerals (rather than carbon black) strongly influences Ca and Al
concentrations, which are much higher in the colored EPDM than in black
used tire crumb rubber. Representatives from all three of the main
organophosphate ester (OPE) groups, namely chlorinated (e.g. TCEP,
TCIPP, TDCPP), alkyl (e.g. TEHP, TEP, TNBP, TBOEP) and aryl (e.g.
TPHP, EHDPP, TCP) were identified, confirming how these chemicals are
commonly used in modern rubber compounding as flame retardants and
plasticizers. Elevated concentrations of TEHP (up to 117 μg/g) in colored-
coated used tire turf infill crumb rubbers were traced to the coating rather
than the crumb rubber itself. The presence and weathering behavior of
OPEs in recreational crumb rubber materials deserve closer
investigation. The ecological “one health” impact of potentially toxic
substances present in recreational crumb rubbers will depend on if and
how they are released during play and sports activities, maintenance
procedures, and natural weathering. We argue that detailed chemical data
on these materials should be available to buyers, as manufacturers strive
to reduce ecotoxin content as part of the quest towards sustainable use
and recycling of vulcanized elastomers.

Ground tire rubber (GTR) is a product obtained by grinding worn tire

treads before retreading them or via the cryogenic or ambient temperature
milling of end-of-life tires (ELTs). The aim of this study is to evaluate if
calcium carbonate can be substituted by GTR and, if so, to what extent.
Different types of ground tire rubber are incorporated in an EPDM
(ethylene–propylene–diene–rubber) model compound as partial or
complete substitutes of calcium carbonate. The raw compounds and the
vulcanizates are characterized to identify the limits. In general, it is
apparent that increasing amounts of GTR and larger particles degrade the
mechanical properties. The GTR also influences the vulcanization kinetics
by reducing the scorch time up to 50% and vulcanization time up to nearly
80%. This is significant for production processes. The compounds with
one-third substitution with the smaller-particle-size GTR show mostly
similar or even better properties than the reference
 A typical compound for EPDM sealings was used as a reference.
Recipes in the rubber industry are given in parts per hundred rubber (phr).
This means that the share of every material is related to 100 parts of
rubber. The model compound used contained approximately 25 wt%
EPDM rubber; 28 wt% carbon black as reinforcing filler; 20 wt%
inactive filler, which was calcium carbonate; 22 wt% softener oil; and
around 5 wt% chemicals such as a crosslinking system and
processing aids. The compounds were crosslinked with sulfur. The
amount of calcium carbonate was substituted partially and completely (33%
≙ 25 phr, 66% ≙ 50 phr and 100% ≙ 80 phr; 100% means all of the calcium
carbonate was substituted by GTR) with different types of ground tire
rubber

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/9/2174

https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/6/3/44

Thermoplastic elastomers based on recycled high-density

polyethylene/ground tire rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate: Effect of
ground tire rubber regeneration on morphological and mechanical
properties

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/08927057221095388

The Asphalt Pavement Technology Program is an integrated,

national effort.

Managed by the Federal Highway Administration

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Office of Asset Management, Pavements and Construction John Bukowski
- john.bukowski@dot.gov
FHWA Office of Technical Services – Resource Center
Tom Harman – tom.harman@dot.gov (Pavement & Materials Technical
Service Team)
  Arizona constructed its first crumb rubber-modified hot-mix asphalt
(CRM-HMA) pavement in 1975.

 In 1978, California placed its first rubber-modified asphalt pavement.

 Florida initiated CRM-HMA work in 1988.

https://www.mahantango.com/products/roads/