Liquid rubber: A crosslinkable plasticizer
by Junya Takai, Yosuke Uehara, Yoshikazu Ueno and Tatsuyuki Abe, Kuraray. – Kuraray liquid rubber with a plasticizing effect on rubber compounds does not cause issues like bleeding or volatilization due to its co-vulcanizability, unlike conventional process oils.
Plasticizers are one of the key components of rubber compounds and adhesives. Plasticizers are used to lower hardness, improve processability and reduce raw material cost. On the other hand, mechanical properties often deteriorate with plasticizer content. In addition, plasticizers can cause changes in properties over time, including staining due to volatilization or bleeding. Common phthalate plasticizers and aromatic oils may be regulated due to environmental and human health issues.
Kuraray liquid rubber is a plasticizer which is co-vulcanizable with solid rubber. Therefore, it is very unlikely that Kuraray liquid rubber will be subject to these bleeding or volatilization issues. As a result, it is expected that Kuraray liquid rubber may be a good alternative to other less environmentally friendly plasticizers