Characterization of eco-friendly processing aids for rubber compound

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon-rich extender oils are to be banned by December 2009 which gives rise to challenges for the oil and rubber industries. In the present work, 10 types of naturally occurring oils and six types of petroleum-based oils were characterized for chemical and physical properties. The effect of these process oils in natural rubber-based truck-tyre tread cap compound was also studied. Some of the naturally occurring oils showed better processing properties, polymer–filler interaction and dispersion properties.