The Effect of Oil‐Extension on the Properties of TPI and TPI/SBR Vulcanizates

Trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene (TPI) with a Mooney viscosity of 120 was filled with 37.5 phr aromatic oil to prepare oil‐extended trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene (OETPI) by a dry oil‐extending process. The curing characteristics of TPI gum, OETPI gum, and TPI/SBR compounds were studied and the mechanical properties of vulcanizates were also investigated. The experimental results showed that the Shore A hardness, Mooney viscosity, and mechanical properties of OETPI gum decreased, compared with that of TPI gum. The modulus at 100% elongation, Shore A hardness, and tensile strength of OETPI vulcanizates also decreased, while the abrasion loss, compression heat build‐up, and compression set increased. Compared with TPI/SBR, the dispersibility of carbon black in OETPI/SBR compounds was improved. The mechanical properties of OETPI/SBR vulcanizates changed little, while the wet skid resistance and fatigue resistance was greatly improved.