Invention Description
Scrap tire rubber and plastic waste present significant environmental challenges, including degradation as well as landfill overflow, necessitating innovative solutions to repurpose these materials while mitigating pollution. At the same time, conventional construction materials such as asphalt and concrete face durability issues, including cracking, rutting, and degradation over time. One solution for recycled scrap tires, which has been successfully used for decades, is crumb rubber or ground tire rubber, which is combined in asphalt binders for asphalt production. However, research has shown that rubber crumb can release 6PPD-quinone, raising concerns of air and water pollution.
In response to these concerns, researchers at Arizona State University have taken crumb rubber one step further and developed two novel modified crumb rubber technologies that enhance material performance while promoting sustainability and safety. The first technology, Bio-RPG (M25-280P) is a hybrid material that combines activated rubber and functionalized plastics with biofunctional carbon. Bio-RPG improves resistance to rutting and cracking while increasing fracture energy in construction applications. It also helps reduce the release of toxic substances, such as VOCs, odors 6PPD-quinone and heavy metals that are common in construction materials. The second technology, Bio-RG (M25-306P) incorporates bio-oils to coat rubber crumbs, and form treated, highly flexible, embedded particles that significantly reduce the formation of harmful compounds like 6PPD-quinone. Bio-RG promotes stronger interfacial interactions between the composite matrix and the rubber particles, improving energy absorption and fracture toughness of the resulting material.
Together, these approaches upcycle waste materials into high-performance, eco-friendly additives for asphalt, concrete, and synthetic turf. This dual innovation addresses both durability and environmental concerns in modern infrastructure materials.
Potential Applications
- Asphalt and concrete mixtures for roads, pavements, and infrastructure projects
- Durable construction materials incorporating recycled rubber and plastics
- Eco-friendly building materials for sustainable construction initiatives
- Green civil engineering, urban development, and infrastructure projects
- Environmental remediation and sustainability-focused building products
Benefits and Advantages
- Transforms scrap tire rubber and waste plastics into environmentally friendly, high-value materials
- Reduces harmful compounds such as 6PPD-quinone from rubber crumb, but also VOCs, odors and heavy metals that are typically emitted or leached from construction materials
- Improves durability and extends the service life of infrastructure materials
- Increases resistance to rutting, cracking, and structural degradation
- Utilizes sustainable bio-based inputs for eco-friendly production
- Supports recycling, waste reduction, and mitigation of landfill overflow