Patent ID: 6362241
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B29B,B29K,B29L,C08J,Y02W

Abstract:
A method for the production of a virgin polymer substitute from a vulcanized polymer, comprising the steps of:a) providing a vulcanized polymer; b) determining the crystallization temperature of said vulcanized polymer; c) comminuting said vulcanized polymer to produce a comminuted material; d) positioning said comminuted material in a processing assembly and introducing said processing assembly into an autoclave; e) exposing said comminuted material to steam, said exposing step comprising: a first exposure step exposing said comminuted material to superheated steam at a first temperature approaching the crystallization temperature of said vulcanized polymer, and a second exposure step exposing said comminuted material to steam at a second temperature at least 10 percent lower than said first temperature; thereby at least partially devulcanizing said vulcanized polymer.