Process Oils and Plasticisers: Aromatic, Naphthenic and Bio-based
How oil type affects low-temperature flexibility, compatibility and the regulatory status of the finished article.
Process oils soften the compound, improve filler dispersion and lower cost. The type matters far more than the level, because compatibility determines whether the oil stays in the rubber or migrates out.
The main families
- •Aromatic oils — excellent compatibility with SBR and BR, good processing. Historically the standard in tyre compounds, but they carry a high content of polycyclic aromatics and are increasingly restricted.
- •Naphthenic oils — good low-temperature properties, reasonable compatibility, widely used as a lower-aromatics alternative.
- •Paraffinic oils — good colour stability and heat ageing, but limited compatibility with SBR and BR and a tendency to bloom at higher loadings in those polymers.
- •Bio-based plasticisers — renewable-content alternatives developed to reduce carbon footprint. Their compatibility and low-temperature behaviour should be evaluated against the specific polymer rather than assumed equivalent.
What to specify
State the polymer, the required low-temperature limit and the destination market's substance restrictions. Compatibility failures show up as blooming, a sticky surface and a gradual loss of softness, usually weeks after production — long after the batch has shipped. ## Need the documents or today's price? Send us the grade, quantity and destination port — we return a quotation with COA and MSDS attached. Email manager@fipolymer.com or use the inquiry form on this site.