Life cycle assessment applied to a self-healing elastomer filled with ground tire rubber

Abstract

In this study, we present the first life cycle assessment (LCA) of a self-healing styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) used in the production of marine fenders. Results show that a rubber with healing capabilities is not environmentally attractive if it cannot last for the same lifetime as a conventional product due to its lower mechanical performance and higher energy consumption. To overcome these constraints, we added a sustainable filler, ground tire rubber, which improved the mechanical properties of the self-healing SBR (x6 increase in tensile strength). Although this addition involved additional sub-processes, the additional environmental impacts were outweighed by the benefits achieved through improved material performance (28% decrease in global warming potential - GWP and 26% in primary energy demand - PED). This study used primary data on experimental healing efficiencies and healing cycles rather than conservative assumptions, which provides a more representative and trustworthy LCA of self-healing rubbers. Our findings have significant implications for the rubber industry, as self-healing rubbers offer a promising avenue for reducing the environmental impact of synthetic materials.