November 2004
Carbon Test Results are Published by EarthFirst Technologies
Tampa, FL— EarthFirst Technologies, Inc., a leader in research, development and commercialization of technologies for remediation of liquid and solid waste published the test results of incorporating carbon produced by its Catalytic Activated Vacuum Distillation (CAVD) plant into a polyurethane matrix. Dr. Robert B. Turner and Thomas M. Kurth provided their results after completing extensive tests and analytical work. The CAVD plant converts recycled rubber tire chips, into usable forms of energy, of which carbon is the largest component.
The report states, “The summation of the work has verified that this is a very unique particle and has no equivalent we are aware of. Due to its unique formation method it can be used as is or economically modified to produce a functionalized polymer that can replace the petroleum based chemical polyurethanes with a less expensive recycled product made from reclaimed tires.”
The report also discusses work that is currently underway to further improve the performance of the carbon by adding reactive compounds which allow it to completely react and form an interfacial bond with a given urethane matrix. This opens markets for application to all plastics.
Improved physical characteristics, reduced cost by reducing the percentage of prime polymer in the system and increased recycled content of the finished product are some of the reported advantages when compared to existing fillers.