Composition and Recycling of Tires 

Tires are not, in fact, made from a single material; rather, they are rubber products formed by precisely compounding several different materials together. They primarily consist of the following components:

Rubber Matrix (Approx. 70%–80%)

Skeletal Material (Approx. 15%–25%)

⚫Steel Cord: Positioned within the belt layers and the bead area, it functions much like steel reinforcement bars in concrete—ensuring the tire resists deformation and can withstand heavier loads.

⚫Fabric Cord: Composed of materials such as polyester or nylon, it serves as the tire’s skeletal structure, primarily responsible for providing tensile strength and maintaining the tire’s shape.

Reinforcement and Filler System (Approx. 20%–25%)

⚫Carbon Black: Constituting roughly one-quarter of a tire’s weight, it enhances the rubber’s abrasion resistance and durability; it is precisely this material that gives tires their black color.

⚫Silica: Primarily utilized in “green tires,” it reduces rolling resistance, resulting in greater fuel efficiency during driving.

Vulcanization and Auxiliary Systems (Approx. 10–15%)

♻️Vulcanization System: Comprising components such as sulfur and accelerators, its function is to crosslink the rubber molecules, transforming the material from its original sticky and soft state into one that is tough and elastic.

♻️Protection System: Primarily consists of anti-aging agents and anti-ozonants, used to prevent the tire from aging or undergoing degradation.

♻️Plasticization System: Facilitates easier processing of the tire during manufacturing while simultaneously enhancing its flexibility at low temperatures.

Physical Structure

From the inside out, a tire consists of five layers: the inner liner, the carcass ply, the steel belt, the sidewall, and the tread. This composite structure provides both load-bearing capacity and excellent elasticity.

Resource Value

⚫Rubber: Can be processed into rubber powder or reclaimed rubber for use as an additive in roads, construction materials, and tires.

⚫Steel Wire: A high-quality steelmaking raw material characterized by high carbon content and low impurities.

⚫Fibers: Can serve as a high-calorific-value fuel, acting as a substitute for coal.

Key Technologies for Tire Recycling

Room-Temperature Mechanical Pulverization Method

💡Principle: Tires are shredded at ambient temperature, and the rubber powder, steel wire, and fibers are separated through magnetic separation and air classification.

Process

Pre-processing: Cutting the bead rings and extracting steel wires.

Shredding: A dual-shaft shredder breaks the tires down into rubber chunks.

Fine Crushing: A steel wire separator detaches the rubber from the steel wires.

Separation: A magnetic separator extracts the steel wires, while an air separator separates the fibers.

Typical Applications

Incorporating Rubber Powder into Asphalt Paving.

✅Advantages: Pavement lifespan extended to 15–25 years; maintenance costs reduced by 62%; carbon emissions reduced by 38%.

Thermal Pyrolysis Method

💡Principle: In an oxygen-free environment, tires are decomposed into various products through high-temperature heating at 400–600°C.

Output (per ton of tires):

✅Advantages: It enables the full utilization of tires, generates no secondary pollution, and allows for energy self-sufficiency.

Discarded tires are not, in fact, mere waste; they contain valuable components—rubber, steel wire, and fibers—that are all suitable for reuse. Through processes such as shredding and thermal pyrolysis, these materials can be separated and transformed into rubber powder, reclaimed oil, and steel wire, thereby re-entering the cycle of utility. In this way, the process not only mitigates pollution but also generates economic value.

If you are considering launching a tire recycling project, Gomine is an excellent choice. No matter which recycling method you choose, we can provide you with the appropriate equipment. Please feel free to contact us at any time!