Nynas advances process oil for tires, rubber goods

Stockholm – Nynas has introduced a new process oil grade for rubber processors seeking to reduce rolling-resistance and increase fuel economy, the Swedish company announced 30 April.

The product, labelled Nytex 846, is claimed to provide all the advantages of pure naphthenic oils, such as high compatibility with polar and non-polar rubber, ease of processing, and excellent low-temperature properties.

The product, added Nynas, is designed to meet health, safety, and environmental demands of legislative bodies around the globe, including all requirements on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), said the company.

The introduction supports “the continuing challenge the tire industry faces to meet an ever-growing demand to improve fuel economy without compromising on wet grip or wear," said Dr. Herbert Fruhmann, global marketing manager for tire and rubber oils.

The process oil is produced using “state-of-the-art” hydrotreating technology, and its polarity is designed to ensure it performs well in conjunction with a wide range of polymers, the company stated. These include natural rubber, SBR, polybutadiene rubber, halobutyl rubber and EPDM.

The product has a glass transition temperature of -46°C. noted Dr. Mika Lahtinen, global technical manager for tyre and rubber applications at Nynas.

In-house tests, said Lahtinen, “have shown that [the process oil] can help to reduce the rolling-resistance of tires, while also improving traction at low-temperatures."