Rubber granules are essential components used in various industries such as sports, construction, and automotive. These granules are made from recycled rubber materials and are used as infill for synthetic sports fields, shock-absorbing materials for playgrounds, and as a binding agent for asphalt roads. In this article, we will provide you with an overview of the production process of rubber granules.
Raw Materials
The production of rubber granules starts with the collection of raw materials. The raw materials used in making rubber granules are derived from scrap tires. These scrap tires are collected from various sources such as tire manufacturers, tire dealers, and waste management facilities. The collected tires are then sorted and inspected to remove any contaminants such as dirt, rocks, and metal.
Grinding Process
After the raw materials are sorted and inspected, they are then fed into a grinder. The grinder shreds the tires into small pieces. The size of the shredded pieces is determined by the type of rubber granules that will be produced. For instance, fine rubber granules require smaller shredded pieces compared to coarse granules.
Magnetic Separation
The shredded pieces are then passed through a magnetic separator. The separator is used to remove any metal contaminants that may have been missed during the sorting process. The magnetic separator uses a powerful magnet to attract and remove any metal pieces. The metal pieces are then sent for recycling.
Granulating Process
After the shredded pieces are cleaned, they are then fed into a granulator. The granulator further breaks down the shredded pieces into smaller pieces. The size of the granulated pieces is determined by the type of rubber granules that will be produced. For instance, coarse rubber granules require larger granulated pieces compared to fine granules.
Colouring Process
After the granulation process, the rubber granules are usually black. If coloured rubber granules are required, then a colouring process is done. The colouring process involves adding pigments to the rubber granules. The pigments are mixed with the granules until the desired colour is achieved.
Drying Process
After colouring, the rubber granules are then dried to remove any moisture. The drying process involves passing the rubber granules through a dryer. The dryer uses hot air to remove any moisture from the granules. The drying time varies depending on the size of the granules and the type of dryer used.
Quality Control
After the drying process, the rubber granules are then inspected for quality. The quality control process involves checking the size, shape, and colour of the granules. The granules are also checked for any impurities such as dirt and metal.
Packaging
After the quality control process, the rubber granules are then packaged. The packaging process involves filling bags with the rubber granules. The bags are then sealed and labelled according to the type and size of the granules.
Conclusion
The production process of rubber granules involves several steps that include the collection of raw materials, grinding, magnetic separation, granulating, colouring, drying, quality control, and packaging. The quality of rubber granules produced depends on the efficiency of each step in the production process. With proper quality control measures, the end product is of high quality and meets the required standards for various industries.