Chemical to de-bond rubber to metal components

[EngineerPhil]

I would like to know if there is a suitable chemical (or better process) for reclaiming bonded rubber to metal parts. The rubber is often a nitrile or something similar (synthetic) and our cutrrent burning process is timely and bad for everyone's health. There is also the risk of effecting the metal properties.

It was mentioned that that toluene may be suitable. I was thinking there may be others. Is there?

The relaimed metal parts are shot blasted prior to chemical preperation for re-use so complete removal of the rubber is not necessary.

If anyone can suggest alternative friendly chemicals I would very much appreciate it.

 

[berti]

Hi Phil and all,

it is my first post in this group.

If the rubber-metal bonding was made in a proper way, there should be no chemical to destroy it selectively.

There is IMHO only heat- e.g. by heating up the metal part carefully-, and/or mechanical power- if possible after cooling below glass transition. Toluene or other solvent - depending on the elastomer - can maybe destroy bonding by swelling the elastomer and bringing mechanical stress that way, but it is probably as bad to do as burning ?
Best regards
Berti

 

[gummi]

Hi Phil,

Probably you can try to use MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone). And I don't think it will effect the metal properties.
But normally what we do is tooling on the lathe machine, which means we take the rubber out of the metal mechanically instead of by chemical.

 

[flexman]

We used to freeze the rubber-metal part cryogenically (in liquid nitrogen), and then "fracture" the metal off of the rubber while it was in a completely rigid, frozen state.