rubber formulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing finely powdered rubber, comprising grinding a granular rubber feedstock, classifying its size, and storing the finely powdered rubber obtained thereby. The present invention also relates to a rubber formulation comprising at least one natural or synthetic rubber, a finely powdered rubber composition, and optionally one or more of a processing aid, a degradation inhibitor, a filler, an accelerator, and a curing agent. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a rubber product as well as a solid rubber product.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] explanation

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for producing finely powdered rubber, comprising grinding a granular rubber feedstock, classifying its size, and storing the finely powdered rubber obtained thereby. The present invention also relates to a rubber formulation comprising at least one natural or synthetic rubber, a finely powdered rubber composition, and optionally one or more of a processing aid, a degradation inhibitor, a filler, an accelerator, and a curing agent. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a rubber product as well as a solid rubber product. Background Technology

[0003] Micronized rubber powder (MRP) is a low-cost, sustainable raw material that replaces oil- and rubber-based materials. MRP is a free-flowing black rubber powder dispersed in numerous systems and applications. Due to its micron size, MRP can be incorporated into many polymers and provides a smooth surface appearance to finished products. In some cases, chemical treatments are applied to the MRP to activate or "functionalize" the surface of the powder particles to improve compatibility and performance with the main material. This is referred to as functionalized MRP or FMRP. Non-functionalized MRP is found in applications solely as an inexpensive filler. Micronized rubber powder (MRP) typically contains a significant fraction of rubber particles with a particle size of less than 100 microns. Powders with a particle size within the range of 40 mesh to 300 mesh are generally considered micronized rubber powder.

[0004] MRP is considered an advancement over previous post-processing rubber technologies. The most basic rubber processing technology converts end-of-life tires and post-industrial rubber materials into rubber chips typically larger than one inch. These chips are subsequently used in tire-derived fuel and civil engineering projects. MRP is a micron-sized material produced in various sizes ranging from 80 mesh to 300 mesh. In high-end applications such as high-performance tires, industrial rubber, consumer and industrial plastic products, asphalt, coatings, and construction materials, only FMRP has been confirmed for use. MRP serves not only as a compound extender to offset the use of natural rubber and synthetic polymers but also as a process aid in material production.

[0005] Rubber formulations containing finely divided rubber powder are known in the art.

[0006] US 2016 / 297243 relates to a tire comprising an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead, and a generally toroidal carcass extending radially from the tread to the bead and connecting them, wherein the tread is configured to make contact with the ground, and the sidewall comprises 20 phr to 80 phr of natural rubber, 20 phr to 80 phr of polybutadiene rubber, and more than 3% by batch weight to more than 20% by batch weight of finely pulverized rubber powder based on the total sidewall formulation, and the finely pulverized rubber powder has a particle size in the range of 40 mesh to 300 mesh.

[0007] US Patent No. 2016 / 152805 relates to a rubber composition comprising solution styrene-butadiene rubber; a functionalized regenerated rubber composition comprising an elastomeric polymer and a stabilizer; and a reinforcing filler comprising reinforcing silica.

[0008] EP 3 045 492 relates to a rubber formulation useful for a rubber product or a component of a rubber product that imparts abrasion force, wherein the rubber formulation comprises at least one natural or synthetic rubber and 1% to 30% by weight of a finely divided rubber composition having a particle size in the range of 40 mesh to 200 mesh, and the finely divided rubber composition comprises at least 10% by weight of solution styrene-butadiene rubber.

[0009] US Patent No. 2014 / 128535 relates to a method for functionalizing a regenerated elastomer material, wherein the regenerated elastomer material comprises an elastomer having intra-chain and inter-chain bonds, and the method comprises the step of shearing particles of the regenerated elastomer material at a temperature of less than 100°C so as to break the inter-chain bonds of the regenerated elastomer material, and wherein the particles of the regenerated elastomer material have a size of 40 mesh or less.

[0010] US Patent No. 6,265,454 relates to a method for recycling hardened tire rubber, comprising the step of blending recycled hardened ground tire rubber particles with a tire component rubber formulation, wherein the formulation comprises rubber and additives, the recycled hardened ground tire rubber particles have a size of 90 US standard mesh or less, the amount of recycled hardened ground tire rubber particles is about 2 parts by weight to about 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the tire component rubber formulation and the recycled hardened ground tire rubber particles, and the recycled hardened ground tire rubber particles replace a portion of the tire component rubber formulation.

[0011] EP 3 470 197 relates to a cryogenic grinding method for particles, comprising the steps of: grinding cooled granular particles to form fine powder having a broad particle size distribution; heating the fine powder; accumulating the heated fine powder in an accumulation device; and screening the accumulated, heated fine powder into one or more predetermined portions, wherein each of the one or more predetermined portions comprises the screened, heated fine powder of a predetermined range of particle sizes, and the broad particle size distribution comprises particles having a size of 50 mesh or more and also 140 mesh or less.

[0012] US 2005 / 107484 relates to a method for producing crumb and powder rubber, comprising the steps of: cooling a pretreated stream of used rubber particles having a predetermined particle size range with a cryogenic fluid, wherein the final cooling temperature of the particles is controlled; grinding the stream of cooled rubber particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the ground rubber particles is controlled; and screening the stream of ground particles to a desired crumb and / or powder rubber particle size range, wherein the particles from which excess-sized particles have been removed are screened into three rubber particle sizes, comprising: a first particle size of a particle range that passes through US sieve size No. 40 but does not pass through US sieve size No. 80; a second particle size of a particle range that passes through US sieve size No. 80 but does not pass through US sieve size No. 140; and a third particle size of a particle that passes through US sieve size No. 140.

[0013] US Patent No. 2017 / 043351 relates to a method for heating cryogenically ground fine particles after grinding, comprising the steps of: supplying the fine particles to a heating device; determining the operating efficiency of the heating device; determining whether the operating efficiency of the heating device is below a predetermined threshold; and, if it is determined that the operating efficiency of the heating device is below a predetermined threshold, recirculating the fine particles through the heating device.

[0014] The inventors believe that the greatest future role for micronized rubber powder (MRP) is to reuse it in tires, as this can have a CO2 reduction trend and satisfy the cradle-to-cradle / circular economy principle. Approximately 30 million tons of new tires are manufactured annually, and currently, nearly half of this volume is collected and enters the end-of-life (EOL) tire waste stream each year. To date, there has not been much reuse of waste tires back into new tires, making it an urgent global challenge to find ways to process EOL tires in an environmentally friendly manner and maximize the value and quantity of EOL tire-derived circular materials.

[0015] The three major technologies focus on circular EOL tire goals: namely, pyrolysis (recovered carbon black / oil / gas), desulfurization, and MRP. Global initiatives have been underway for decades and are continuing at an accelerated pace today due to the global warming crisis and the negative environmental impact of tire production. Each of the three technologies presents a unique set of challenges that must be overcome before large-scale reuse from new tires becomes possible.

[0016] Specifically, regarding MRP, the major limiting factors restricting large-scale reuse in tires consist of two parts:

[0017] 1. Size reduction is limited to about 180 microns (D95 percentile) due to energy efficiency and certain technical limitations.

[0018] 2. Low surface energy (because there are no active chemical groups on the surface of the powder that create chemical cross-linking / covalent bonds, the powder is not effectively co-vulcanized with new tire compounds).

[0019] The net effect of these limiting factors is that adding a small percentage (about 2 wt.% to 6 wt.%) of MRP to new tire compounds results in unacceptable low mechanical strengthening (particularly in relation to tear strength and wear resistance). Furthermore, the dynamic performance of compounds containing MRP is degraded, exhibiting increased tangent delta values ​​and pain effects, which lead to increased tire hysteresis, heat accumulation, and rolling resistance. This reduces the fuel efficiency of the tire.

[0020] The objective of the present invention is to develop a method for chemically activating / functionalizing MRP.

[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to develop a method for manufacturing finely divided rubber powder.

[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to develop a method for upscaling to a large amount of functionalized MRP (about 8 kton / year to 10 kton / year) and to operate an industrial process.

[0023] Another objective of the present invention is to develop a method for converting functionalized MRP into solid strips or slabs while maintaining performance and dispersibility.

[0024] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for producing finely powdered rubber powder comprising grinding a granular rubber feedstock, classifying the size, and storing the finely powdered rubber powder obtained thereby, wherein a formulation is used to prevent rubber powder particles from sticking to themselves during the grinding process, and such formulation is selected from the group of synthetic amorphous precipitated silica and silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, or combinations thereof.

[0025] The inventors have discovered that one or more objectives are achieved by introducing these agents into a method for manufacturing finely divided rubber powder. The inventors have discovered that the reactivation of the vulcanization potential of MRP by chemical treatment can significantly improve both the mechanical and dynamic performance of MRP in rubber compounds, thereby opening the door to large-scale reuse in the tire and TRG sectors. This contact step can be viewed as "first-stage activation."

[0026] In an embodiment of a method for producing finely divided rubber powder, the total amount of the formulation is in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 4.0 wt.%, preferably 0.3 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the finely divided rubber powder.

[0027] In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing finely pulverized rubber powder, the formulation is in a foamy state and the BET surface area of ​​the formulation is 50 m² 2 / g to 250 m 2 / g, preferably 140 m 2 / g to 190 m 2 / g is.

[0028] In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing finely divided rubber powder, the formulation is silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica.

[0029] In an embodiment of a method for producing finely pulverized rubber powder, the grinding process of a rubber granular feedstock comprises a two-stage grinding process, namely, a) ambient grinding and then b) cryogenic grinding, wherein, in particular, step b) is performed in the range of -40°C to -80°C for a rubber granular feedstock containing natural rubber and in the range of -20°C to -60°C for a rubber granular feedstock containing natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber.

[0030] In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing finely powdered rubber, the particle size of the rubber granular feedstock before the grinding process is 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0031] In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing finely pulverized rubber powder, a) the particle size of the rubber granular feedstock after peripheral grinding is 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm.

[0032] The rubber granular feedstock is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber, medium vinyl polybutadiene rubber, high vinyl polybutadiene rubber, emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber, solution styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, polynorbornene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, polychloroprene rubber (neoprene rubber), polysulfide rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, and various mixtures thereof.

[0033] In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing finely divided rubber powder, the size classification step provides at least two streams of finely divided rubber powder products, including an 80 mesh stream and a 40 mesh stream.

[0034] In an embodiment of a method for producing finely divided rubber powder, at least one of an 80 mesh finely divided rubber powder product stream and a 40 mesh finely divided rubber powder product stream is contacted with a formulation selected from the group of synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, organosilane and organic peroxide, or combinations thereof, to obtain an activated finely divided rubber powder product, preferably an organosilane polysulfide type or disulfide type. This contact step can be viewed as a "secondary step activation".

[0035] The present invention also relates to a rubber formulation comprising at least one natural or synthetic rubber, finely powdered rubber powder obtained as described above, and optionally one or more of a processing aid, a degradation inhibitor, a filler, an accelerator, and a curing agent, wherein the rubber formulation comprises at least one activating component selected from the group consisting of silane, NR latex, organic peroxide, polyoctenamer, a curing agent, polyethylene wax, emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (eSBR), liquid acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), zinc oxide, and colloidal sulfur.

[0036] The principle of "surface activation" is to form chemical crosslinks between the vulcanized MRP and the unvulcanized rubber compound during the vulcanization of the new rubber product. The powder no longer exists as "individual and disturbed" particles within the new compound matrix; instead, they become integrated (bonded) parts of a much more homogeneous matrix. Surface activation can be achieved by coating the surface of the powder with a crosslinkable (unsaturated) polymer in combination with specific vulcanization chemicals, such as zinc oxide, stearic acid, sulfur, and organic promoters. Surface treatment can be applied, for example, by a continuous extrusion or continuous powder drying process. The extrusion or milling process will convert the powder into solid strips or slabs. These processes have the advantage of converting low bulk density powders into extruded solid forms (e.g., strips, sheets), where the powder particles are bonded together by the new polymer(s) and other process additives. In addition, the conversion of low bulk density powder into a solid material will cause the bulk density of the powder to nearly triple (approximately 400 kg / m³). 3 At 1150 kg / m² 3 This will facilitate efficient transportation and avoid expensive powder bagging costs.

[0037] In an embodiment of the rubber formulation, the amount of active ingredient(s) in the rubber formulation is greater than 2 wt.% and less than 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the rubber formulation.

[0038] In an embodiment of the rubber formulation, the active ingredient is silane.

[0039] In an embodiment of the rubber formulation, the amount of silane in the rubber formulation present is greater than 1 wt.% and less than 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the rubber formulation.

[0040] In another embodiment of the rubber formulation, the active ingredient is a combination of silane and NR latex.

[0041] In such an embodiment of the rubber formulation, the amount of silane in the rubber formulation present is greater than 1 wt.% and less than 10 wt.%, preferably 5 wt.% to 9 wt.%, and the amount of NR latex in the rubber formulation present is in the range of 4 wt.% to 8 wt.% based on the total weight of the rubber formulation after drying.

[0042] As discussed above, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a rubber formulation as discussed above, wherein the method

[0043] The present invention relates to a method comprising the step of applying at least one of at least one natural or synthetic rubber, a finely divided rubber composition, and optionally at least one processing aid, and at least one activating component to a shear at a temperature of less than 100°C so as to achieve surface activation of at least one natural or synthetic rubber.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of extruding a surface-activated rubber formulation into a slab.

[0045] In some applications, the extruded solid material can be directly vulcanized into the molded application.

[0046] A method for producing finely pulverized powder includes several process steps such as pre-grinding, cryogenic freezing, grinding of the infeed material, heating generation, removal of ferrous metals and fibers, accumulation, screening, and storage of the finely pulverized powder. During the cryogenic grinding process, a spraying agent is used to prevent the powder particles from sticking to themselves. An example of such a spraying agent is talc. The inventors have discovered that by using foamy synthetic precipitated amorphous silica (e.g., Hisil 255C-D) in an amount of 0.1 wt.% to 4.0 wt.%, preferably 0.3 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the finely pulverized powder, instead of talc, the sieve yield of the grinding fraction 0-187 microns increased from about 8% to about 40%. Furthermore, it was observed that a larger amount of tire fibers (a mixture of polyamide, polyester, and rayon) can be removed from the MRP because silica clearly reduces the attractive force between rubber and fibers. The inventors hypothesize that there may be some interaction between silica and silane. This interaction may contribute to the attractive force observed when silane is used as an activating chemical. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0047] For the purpose of enhancing understanding of the principles of the present invention, the embodiments exemplified in the table will now be referenced. Nevertheless, it will be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; any change and further modification of the described or exemplified embodiments, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure as exemplified herein, are to be considered as generally occurring to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

[0048] The terms "functionalized" or "activated" generally refer to functionalized or desulfurized materials prepared from finely divided rubber powder as described herein. The terms "functionalized" and "activated" are terms in the context having the same meaning. This meaning is the ability to generate crosslinks during vulcanization.

[0049] The term "given to shear" generally refers to a process of feeding a rubber formulation into a nip between a first reverse-rotating roll and a second reverse-rotating roll, wherein the first roll rotates at a different speed from the second roll.

[0050] The practice of the present invention may be further understood by reference to the following examples, which are provided merely as examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0051] Examples

[0052] Several test examples (see Table 1 and Table 2) were prepared to investigate the performance of the rubber composition.

[0053] The test examples were compared with the so-called test recipe. The composition of the test recipe (according to ASTM D3191, ASTM D3191 excludes MRP) is shown in Table 1.

[0054] Table 1: Composition of test recipes

[0055]

[0056] The reference MRP sample is cryogenically ground fine rubber powder made exclusively from whole, pre-selected end-of-life truck tires, Cryofine 80 (Kargro) mesh, in compliance with ASTM D5603 Class 80 1*.

[0057] Samples #1 through #43 were prepared by mixing the components listed in Table 1 with specific components. The rubber compositions thus obtained were tested for various parameters such as Mooney viscosity, rheological scorch time, ts2, rheological T90, rheological delta S, tangent delta, tensile strength, Paine effect, M100, M300, maximum elongation, tear strength, and wear loss. The results of these tests are shown in Table 2. Based on these performance parameters, the average improvement rate was calculated (%). An average improvement rate of > 40% is confirmed to be acceptable.

[0058] In Table 2, component silane Si69 is bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide, Vestenamer 8012 is trans-polyoctenamer, Alpha wax is polyethylene wax, and Trigonox 29 and Luperox 231 are 1,1-di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane.

[0059] From Table 2, it can be seen that Sample #7 (6% silane (Si69)) has an average improvement rate of 65.7%. For Sample #43, a much higher average improvement rate, namely a value of 79.1%, is obtained. A comparison between Sample #7 and Sample #42 shows that the combination of both silane and NR latex resulted in a high average improvement rate.

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063] Table 3: Composition of test recipes

[0064]

[0065] Several additional test examples (see Tables 3 and 4) were prepared to investigate the performance of the rubber composition.

[0066] The test examples were compared with the so-called test recipe. The composition of the test recipe (according to ASTM D3191, ASTM D3191 excludes MRP) is shown in Table 3.

[0067] The reference MRP sample is cryogenically ground fine rubber powder made exclusively from whole, pre-selected end-of-life truck tires, Cryofine 80 (Kargro) mesh, in compliance with ASTM D5603 Class 80 1*.

[0068] Samples #1 to #11 (see Table 4) were prepared by mixing the components mentioned in Table 3 with specific components. The rubber compositions thus obtained were tested for various parameters such as Mooney viscosity, rheological scorch time, ts2, rheological T90, rheological delta S, tangent delta, tensile strength, Paine effect, M100, M300, maximum elongation, tear strength, and wear loss.

[0069] The results of these tests are shown in Table 4. Based on these performance parameters, the average improvement rate was calculated (%).

[0070]

[0071] In Table 4, Ultrasil VN3 is SiO2, which is synthetically produced amorphous silicon dioxide (Evonik), Coupsil 8113 is precipitated silica surface-modified with organosilane Si 69 (Evonik), and silane (Si69) is polyfunctional (polysulfide) silane (Evonik).

[0072] From Table 4, it will be seen that samples #1 to #5 (containing 0.5% Ultrasil VN3 and 2% to 6% silane (Si69)) show improvement rates of 19.7% to 65%. Samples #6 to #10 (containing 0.5% Ultrasil VN3, 1% Coupsil 8113 and 2% to 6% silane (Si69)) show improvement rates of 36.5% to 71.9%. Sample #11 (containing 1% Coupsil 8113 and 5% silane (Si69)) shows the best improvement rate of 78.8%.

[0073] The inventors have discovered that Ultrasil VN3 is a highly effective spraying agent for deagglomerating rubber particles after a cryogenic grinding process. Deagglomeration needs to be performed to effectively sift fractions with a desired particle size distribution (D95 < 180 microns) and to screen out excess particles for further processing. Certainly, when powder particles are stuck together, they cannot be sorted according to their size. The deagglomeration process is also important in maximizing the surface area of ​​the powder to ensure that the activating chemical has the potential to coat the maximum amount of the powder's surface area. Ultrasil VN3 (which is highly sensitive to hydrophobic and condensation reactions with silane Si69) also plays a role in the activation step.

[0074] The inventors have discovered that Coupsil 8113 has an effect similar to Ultrasil VN3 as a spray / decoagulant. However, because Coupsil 8113 is coated with about 11% Si69, it plays a more significant role as an active chemical than Ultrasil VN3. Therefore, for example, Coupsil 8113 can completely replace Ultrasil VN3 as a spray, which means that VN3 does not need to be used at all.

[0075] The inventors have found that a combination of Coupsil 8113 (at a concentration of 1 wt.%) and Si69 at a concentration of 4 wt.%) provides excellent results. Si69 also works well at a concentration of 6 wt.% using a spray (0.25 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%) without using any Coupsil 8113, but this option is less attractive in terms of cost than adding 1 wt.% Coupsil 8113 + 4 wt.% Si69.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for producing finely powdered rubber powder comprising grinding a rubber granular feedstock, classifying by size, and storing the finely powdered rubber powder obtained thereby, wherein a formulation is used to prevent rubber powder particles from adhering to themselves during the grinding process, said formulation is selected from the group of synthetic amorphous precipitated silica and silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, or combinations thereof, and the grinding process of the rubber granular feedstock comprises a two-stage grinding process, i.e., a) grinding at ambient temperature and subsequently b) cryogenic grinding, and the particle size of the rubber granular feedstock after a) grinding at ambient temperature is 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm. Claim 2 The method according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of the formulation is in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 4.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the finely powdered rubber powder. Claim 3 In claim 1, the BET surface area of ​​the formulation is 50 m² 2 / g to 250 m 2 / g person, method. Claim 4 In claim 1, the formulation is silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, method. Claim 5 A method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed in the range of -40°C to -80°C for a rubber granular feedstock including natural rubber and in the range of -20°C to -60°C for a rubber granular feedstock including natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber. Claim 6 In paragraph 5, the method wherein the particle size of the rubber granular feedstock before the grinding process is 2 mm to 5 mm. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 The method according to claim 1, wherein the rubber granular feedstock is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber, medium vinyl polybutadiene rubber, high vinyl polybutadiene rubber, emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber, solution styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, polynorbornene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber, carboxylated nitrile rubber, polychloroprene rubber (neoprene rubber), polysulfide rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, and various mixtures thereof. Claim 9 A method according to claim 1, wherein the size classification provides at least two finely pulverized rubber powder product streams comprising an 80 mesh stream and a 40 mesh stream. Claim 10 A method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of an 80 mesh finely powdered rubber powder product stream and a 40 mesh finely powdered rubber powder product stream is contacted with a formulation selected from the group consisting of synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, silane-treated synthetic amorphous precipitated silica, organosilane and organic peroxide, or combinations thereof, to obtain an activated finely powdered rubber powder product. Claim 11 A rubber formulation comprising at least one natural or synthetic rubber, finely powdered rubber powder obtained according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 10, and optionally one or more of a processing aid, a degradation inhibitor, a filler, an accelerator, and a curing agent, wherein the rubber formulation comprises at least one activating component selected from the group consisting of silane, NR latex, organic peroxide, polyoctenamer, a curing agent, polyethylene wax, emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (eSBR), liquid acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), zinc oxide, and colloidal sulfur. Claim 12 A rubber formulation according to claim 11, wherein the amount of active ingredient(s) is in the range of 2 wt.% to 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the rubber formulation. Claim 13 In paragraph 11, the active ingredient is a silane, a rubber formulation. Claim 14 A rubber formulation according to paragraph 13, wherein the amount of silane is in the range of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the rubber formulation. Claim 15 In paragraph 11, the active ingredient is a rubber formulation that is a combination of silane and NR latex. Claim 16 A rubber formulation according to claim 15, wherein, based on the total weight of the rubber formulation, the amount of silane is in the range of 5 wt.% to 9 wt.% and the amount of NR latex is in the range of 4 wt.% to 8 wt.%. Claim 17 A method for manufacturing a rubber product based on a natural or synthetic batch, comprising: i) providing a stream of activated finely pulverized rubber powder products according to claim 10; ii) providing a natural or synthetic batch; and iii) mixing the product of i) and the batch of ii) to produce a rubber product. Claim 18 In paragraph 17, the above mixing step is an extrusion step, a method. Claim 19 A method according to claim 17, wherein the mixing step is performed in the presence of one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, recovered carbon black, silica, stearic acid, and decomposition inhibitors. Claim 20 A solid rubber product obtained according to the method under Paragraph 17.

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