TY - JOUR
T1 - Sustainable Rubber Solutions
T2 - A Study on Bio-Based Oil and Resin Blends
AU - van Elburg, Frances
AU - Grunert, Fabian
AU - Aurisicchio, Claudia
AU - di Consiglio, Micol
AU - Talma, Auke
AU - Bernal-Ortega, Pilar
AU - Blume, Anke
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025/7/31
Y1 - 2025/7/31
N2 - One of the most important challenges the tire industry faces is becoming carbon-neutral and using 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Utilizing materials from renewable sources and recycled substances is a key aspect of achieving this goal. Petroleum-based oils, such as Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract (TDAE), are frequently used in rubber compounds, and a promising strategy to enhance sustainability is to use bio-based plasticizer alternatives. However, research has shown that the replacement of TDAE oil with bio-based oils or resins can significantly alter the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the final compound, influencing the tire properties. In this study, the theory was proposed that using a plasticizer blend, comprising oil and resin, in a rubber compound would result in similar Tg values as the reference compound containing TDAE. To test this, the cycloaliphatic di-ester oil Hexamoll DINCH, which can be made out of bio-based feedstock by the BioMass Balance approach, was selected and blended with the cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resin Escorez 5300. Various oil-to-resin ratios were investigated, and a linear increase in the Tg of the vulcanizate was obtained when increasing the resin content and decreasing the oil content. Additionally, a 50/50 blend, consisting of 18.75 phr Hexamoll DINCH and 18.75 phr Escorez 5300, resulted in the same Tg of −19 °C as a compound containing 37.5 phr TDAE. Furthermore, this blend resulted in similar curing characteristics and cured Payne effect as the reference with TDAE. Moreover, a similar rolling resistance indicator (tan δ at 60 °C = 0.115), a slight deterioration in wear resistance (ARI = 83%), but an improvement in the stress–strain behavior (M300 = 9.18 ± 0.20 MPa and Ts = 16.3 ± 0.6 MPa) and wet grip indicator (tan δ at 0 °C = 0.427) were observed. The results in this work show the potential of finding a balance between optimal performance and sustainability by using plasticizer blends.
AB - One of the most important challenges the tire industry faces is becoming carbon-neutral and using 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Utilizing materials from renewable sources and recycled substances is a key aspect of achieving this goal. Petroleum-based oils, such as Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract (TDAE), are frequently used in rubber compounds, and a promising strategy to enhance sustainability is to use bio-based plasticizer alternatives. However, research has shown that the replacement of TDAE oil with bio-based oils or resins can significantly alter the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the final compound, influencing the tire properties. In this study, the theory was proposed that using a plasticizer blend, comprising oil and resin, in a rubber compound would result in similar Tg values as the reference compound containing TDAE. To test this, the cycloaliphatic di-ester oil Hexamoll DINCH, which can be made out of bio-based feedstock by the BioMass Balance approach, was selected and blended with the cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resin Escorez 5300. Various oil-to-resin ratios were investigated, and a linear increase in the Tg of the vulcanizate was obtained when increasing the resin content and decreasing the oil content. Additionally, a 50/50 blend, consisting of 18.75 phr Hexamoll DINCH and 18.75 phr Escorez 5300, resulted in the same Tg of −19 °C as a compound containing 37.5 phr TDAE. Furthermore, this blend resulted in similar curing characteristics and cured Payne effect as the reference with TDAE. Moreover, a similar rolling resistance indicator (tan δ at 60 °C = 0.115), a slight deterioration in wear resistance (ARI = 83%), but an improvement in the stress–strain behavior (M300 = 9.18 ± 0.20 MPa and Ts = 16.3 ± 0.6 MPa) and wet grip indicator (tan δ at 0 °C = 0.427) were observed. The results in this work show the potential of finding a balance between optimal performance and sustainability by using plasticizer blends.
KW - oils
KW - plasticizers
KW - resins
KW - sustainability
KW - tire tread
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013325517
U2 - 10.3390/polym17152111
DO - 10.3390/polym17152111
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105013325517
SN - 2073-4360
VL - 17
JO - Polymers
JF - Polymers
IS - 15
M1 - 2111
ER -
