Effect of the sharp profile geometry ong the cutting forces of tire recycling tools

Objective: Study the impact of blade profile geometry on cutting forces during tire recycling, focusing on how variations in the shape and design of tools affect the efficiency and quality of the cut, as well as the tools' lifespan. Methodology: Through the construction and testing of three blade geometries, based on a prior numerical study and made from DF2 and 1.2363 steel, experiments were conducted on a Universal Testing Machine with samples of used tire rubber. Results: It was demonstrated that the hollow profile blade significantly reduces energy consumption and improves cutting performance compared to the 30° straight V profile blade, for both rubber-only samples and those with reinforcing textile fibers. Additionally, the study presented the evaluation of shear stresses using a 90° blade, indicating an average shear stress value of 8.67 MPa. Conclusion: This finding suggests that the appropriate selection of blade geometry can significantly contribute to the efficiency of the tire recycling process, offering important economic and environmental implications.