Evolution in Polymer Technology Journal ISSN: 2642-0864
Editorial
Eco-Friendly Treatment Process of Rubber Elastomers using Microwave
Published: 2019-09-07

Abstract

Since World War II, rubber elastomers, which are polymer materials, have made great strides as various rubber synthesis methods, rubber products suitable for various uses, and production technology have developed [1]. However, the rapid increases in production and consumption of rubbers with the development of the rubber industry inevitably brought environmental pollution caused by waste rubbers. Thus, it is required to find an appropriate solution to resolve the pollution. Unlike general thermoplastic resins, rubber has a threedimensional network structure, which makes it insoluble in solvent and not melted by heating. It is difficult to recycle rubbers. Therefore, waste rubber has been mainly treated by landfill or incineration. However, it is not the ultimate solution because a treating process through landfill causes soil pollution and lack of landfill, and the other one through incineration of rubber does air pollution. In addition, as the society gets interested in environmental pollution, the disposal methods of waste rubbers through landfill or incineration are not being used [2].