The influence of non-carcinogenic petroleum-based process oils on tire compounds’ performance

Abstract

High aromatic oils which have been widely used as process oils in tire the industry contain high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These aromatic compounds (PAHs) have proved to be carcinogenic as well as posing a threat to the environment. Since the beginning of 2010, the use of high aromatic process oils has been banned under the EU regulation 1907/2007 commonly called REACH (registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals). The so-called regulation has given rise to challenges to the oil and tire industries in replacing high aromatic process oils with safer alternatives. In the present work, four types of low aromatic petroleum-based process oils, namely mild and high-viscosity naphthenic oils (LNAP and HNAP), treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) and mildly extracted solvate (MES), were investigated and their effect on plasticization and durability properties of two different low and high oil-extended tire formulations were evaluated. The compatibility of oils with rubber was investigated as well. The results showed that a number of properties such as abrasion resistance and tire rolling resistance were improved by using non-carcinogenic oils, while tire grip properties were declined. Considering oil–rubber compatibility, TDAE and MES were found to be more compatible with rubbers.