Ground elastomer and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for converting an elastomer to a decreased size in a grinding apparatus is disclosed. The method includes optionally soaking the elastomer in a first additive. The method further includes reducing the size of the elastomer to form at least one elastomer particle of a first size. The method also includes optionally removing impurities from the elastomer. Further, the method includes adding a carrier to the elastomer particle to form an elastomer slurry. Also, the method includes providing a second additive to the slurry. In addition, the method includes converting the elastomer particle to a second size, the second size being less than the first size. The method also includes recovering the elastomer particle of the second size. The invention also relates to novel ground elastomers and methods for their use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for converting an elastomer to a decreased size in a grinding apparatus, the method comprising: 
 optionally soaking the elastomer in a first additive;    reducing the size of the elastomer to form at least one elastomer particle of a first size;    optionally removing impurities from the elastomer;    adding a carrier to the elastomer particle to form an elastomer slurry;    providing a second additive which can be the same or different than said first additive, if employed, to the slurry;    converting the elastomer particle to a second size, the second size being less than the first size; and    recovering the elastomer particle of the second size.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first additive and the second additive are selected from the group consisting of resin acids, oleic acid, oligimers and esters and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first additive is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl formamide and fatty amines and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first additive and the second additive are selected from the group consisting of water miscible dispersing agents and surfactants and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first additive and the second additive are selected from the group consisting of resins, rosins and resin acids and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first additive and the second additive are selected from the group consisting of rosin acid, polymerized rosin acid, esters of rosin acid, dispersions of rosin acid, dispersions of esters of rosin acid, copolymers of rosin acid, disproportionated rosin acid, hydrogenated rosin acid, 9-anthracene carboxylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and acetal R-type acids and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second additive is an organic acid.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the slurry reaches a maximum temperature of about 300° Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         9 . A ground particle comprising: 
 an elastomer, and    an additive,    wherein the particle passes through a minus 50-mesh.    
     
     
         10 . A ground particle comprising: 
 an elastomer, and    an additive,    wherein the additive chemically bonds to the elastomer.    
     
     
         11 . The particle of  claim 10  wherein the additive is tall oil.  
     
     
         12 . The ground particle of  claim 10  wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of resin acids, oleic acid, oligimers and esters and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The ground particle of  claim 12  wherein the additive is tall oil.  
     
     
         14 . An asphalt comprising a particle as claimed in claim  10 .