Comparison of Property Differences for Crude Based Process Oils with Natural and Polymeric Plasticizers in High Wear Rubber Compounds

Natural and Polymeric plasticizers have long been considered a potential alternative for mineral based process oils in rubber compounds. The current data suggests the low volatility of these oils can impart improved properties over the conventional, petroleum based materials. Natural rubber-polybutadiene rubber batches were mixed with natural and polymeric oil selections. These batches were then tested for rheological, physical and abrasion properties. The property differences were compared and analyzed based on the oil selection, and the results can be correlated to the functionality of the specific process oil