ASTREL

Thermoplastic rubbers ASTREL are actually more valuable than initial materials of processed rubber wastes (vulcanised rubber), and it's possible to establish that along this way of processing technologies combination Rubber Upcycling is realized rather than common spent rubber disposal and rubber recycling, which are ususally more close to be defined as rubber "downcycling".

Thermoplastic rubbers ASTREL are produced on the basis of OKRubber blends with thermoplastic materials such as EVA, PE, PP, PU, PA. Special compatibilisation techniques and reactive extrusion methods are used to execute efficient cross-linking of elastic and thermoplastic phases in ASTREL.

OK Rubber powder particles has modified/activated surface, and it allows to create improved binding system with thermoplastic matrix, and to improve processing characteristics and material properties such as elongation and tensile strength.
It opens up opportunities for the applications that were unreachable so far due to property deficiency for common composite materials based on ground tyre rubber.

ASTREL combines both high elasticity of vulcanized rubbers and the easy processing of thermoplastic materials. ASTREL properties are very close to thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), which are among the fastest growing market demand in the polymer industry.
The basic advantage of ASTREL over common thermoset elastomers is the ability to be remelted and reused. ASTREL materials can be easily recycled and can be used repeatedly up to 5-8 times without remarkable property losses. Another advantages are as the shorter processing times and the need for little or no compounding in the creation of materials/articles.

ASTREL material properties are quite comparable with the best thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) materials currently available in the world market.
Different grades of ASTREL are available, particularly including heat and oil resistant ones.

ASTREL combines favorable properties of elastomers and thermoplastics, and it allows them to have the broad applications range, including in particular:

• Building: roofing and flooring, expansion/seismic joints, sanitary ware ;
• Construction: drainage seals, tube packing, seals and profiles, setting blocks;
• Pipelines isolation;
• Shoe industry;
• Automotive industry: cast wheels, covers, seals, boots, gaskets, mats;
• Electrical and electronics: hoses, insulators, cable covers;
• Bitumen modification, particularly in asphalt compositions;
• Plastic modification;
• Consumer appliances: sporting grips, stock cushions, soft touch, closures, containers.

ASTREL is produced on the basis (more than 2/3) of surface modified OKRubber, which is actually secondary product. By this reason ASTREL has the unique combinations of the valuable properties and low production costs in comparison with similar analogous materials. It secures successful promotion and wide market application of ASTREL.