Surface Modification of Tire Rubber Waste by Air Plasma for Application in Wood-Cement Panels

Abstract

Much research has been carried out to improve the wettability and to overcome the low adhesion of tire rubber for use in developing new building materials, such as wood-cement panels. Corona surface treatment (air plasma) of rubber particles was used in this study with various application times to improve adhesion and the interface between the particles and the cementitious matrix. Another aspect evaluated in this study was the partial replacement of wood particles by tire rubber waste in wood-cement panels. The particulate rubber residue was subjected to various corona application times to determine the most suitable treatment; the samples showed the most desirable qualities after 20 min of air plasma treatment. Then, panels were produced using Pinus oocarpa particles associated with various contents of tire rubber after corona treatment. Overall, after 20 min of air plasma treatment, the wettability and adhesion properties of tire rubber waste improved. The use of 5% rubber to replace pine wood in wood-cement panels led to a substantial improvement in the physical-mechanical properties evaluated, making its production feasible and promoting the reuse of a material harmful to the environment.