Eco-friendly processing oils: A new tool to achieve the improved mileage in tyre tread

People are shifting from use of fossil fuel based processing oils to naturally occurring oils, and restriction on PCA rich extender oils by December 2009 leads to search for naturally occurring oils. According to the KEMI report, products with polycyclic aromatic compounds, PCAs, levels exceeding 3% by weight must be labeled. The report pointed out that worn tyre tread material was being spread on the roadsides, introducing high amounts of PCA into the environment. PCA is having toxic effects on aquatic organisms. In the present work, two naturally occurring oils, neem oil and kurunj oil, were characterised in a 100% Natural Rubber based formulation, a NR/BR blend based Bias Truck and Rib Type Tyre Tread Cap compound and a SSBR/NR/BR blend based Radial Passenger Tyre Tread compound. Compounds made with naturally occurring oils showed better abrasion properties. These oils were found to be suitable also on the basis of low PCA content.