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This research highlights the development of a photodegradable non-marking tyre by
introducing a photosensitizer as a trigger to initiate photo degradation o f the inner layers of the tyre.
Reduction of tyre waste, which heavily contribute to environmental pollution, is the main expectation
o f the development.
Benzaldehyde has been identified as the photosensitizer. Effect of the sensitizer on the general
compounding formula have been studied by morphology, rheology, melting properties, Mooney
viscosity analysis, specific gravity analysis, and analysis of physical properties such as tensile strength
and hardness. UV-Vis absorbance range of the sensitizer was observed at 200 nm to 290 nm.
Sensitizers’ thermal stability at the tyre processing conditions was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy
before and after keeping the sensitizer at the processing temperatures for a prolonged time period. No
significant differences on physical and mechanical properties have been observed and thus it is
concluded that the sensitizer has no effect on the compounding formula as well as tyre processing
conditions.
Photodegradaton studies were conducted following three different approaches and degradation was
inspected by weathering and accelerate testing. First approach is to introduce the sensitizer to the
general compounding formula, second approach is to introduce the sensitizer to the general
compounding formula with the exception o f antioxidant and the third approach is to introduce the
sensitizer onto the surface o f the sample specimen.
Tests conducted on samples prepared through approach one and two, have not shown any
considerable changes on physical and mechanical properties dining the time period o f three months.
Nevertheless, samples that were prepared following approach three have shown positive results of
photo-degradation even in such a short period o f time. Tensile strength, elongation at break and tear
strength decreased while hardness and 300% modulus are increased during weathering and
accelerated aging tests.
Results obtained so far have given a positive indicator for using the sensitizer as a novel degradable
approach. However, time period reported is not sufficient to derive into a solid conclusion. This
research is an ongoing research.
