Rubber Process Oil (RPO)
Rubber process oil (RPO) is a substance made of oil or other types of fossil fuels. This oil product is broadly categorized into two main categories.
Virgin RPO
CHARACTRISTIC | UNIT | SPECIFICATON | TEST METHOD |
Specific Gravity @ 15.6°C | kg/m3 | 995 | ASTM D-1298 |
Kinematic viscosity @ 100°C | mm2/S (cSt) | Min 20 – Max 65 | ASTM D-445 |
Flash Point | °C | Min 250 | ASTM D-92 |
Pour Point | °C | Max 35 | ASTM D-97 |
Aniline Point | °C | Min 40- Max 60 | IP-2 |
Sulfur Content | % wt | 4 TYP | ASTM D-2622 |
Ash Content | % wt | 0.05 TYP | ASTM D-482 |
Carbon type analysis, % CA CN CP | 40 25 35 | – | ASTM D-3238 |
Specification | Unit | Method | DAE 10 | Light RPO | RPO135 | RPO145 | RPO155 | DAE40 | Heavy RPO |
Type | – | – | Aromatic | Aromatic | Aromatic | Aromatic | Aromatic | Aromatic | Aromatic |
Kinematic Viscosity 100 C | cSt | ASTM D-445 | 10 | Max 35 | – | – | – | 40-60 | Min 35 |
ASTM D-7042 | – | – | 30-40 | 40-50 | 50-60 | – | – | ||
Density 15.6 C | Kg/m3 | ASTM D-1298
| 1000 | 1010 | – | – | – | 995-1020 | 1050 |
ASTM D-4052 | – | – | 1010 | 1020 | 1030 | – | – | ||
Flash point | C | ASTM D-92
| 215 | – | 230 | 240 | 240 | 263-230 | – |
ASTM D-93 | – | 200-300 | – | – | – | – | 200-230 |
Synthetic RPO:
Synthetic RPO is manufactured in industrialized countries such as Brazil, which has the privilege in the RPO industry, among others.
Natural RPO:
Natural RPO is predominantly obtained in Southeast Asia. Rubber process oils, as the name suggests, are used primarily as a processing oil in rubber products manufacturing compounds.
RPO (Rubber Process Oil) is divided into 3 types as Aromatic-based RPO, Paraffinic-based RPO and Naphthenic-based RPO.
Aromatic RPO Usage:
Tires, lactic, automotive tires and tubes, bicycle tires, tire re-treading materials, belting, hoses, battery casings and containers, extruded products, technical molded goods and rubber articles with reclaim rubber due to high solvency. Process Oil (furfural extract) has color stability, solubility, and thermal stability which make RPO ideal for molded articles, slippers, LPG tubes, floor tiles, etc.
Paraffinic RPO:
This type of RPO, is well known for its viscosity. As the chain length increases, the viscosity increases. It is extensively being used in Butyl rubbers.
Naphthenic RPO:
Naphthenic RPO is a series of hydrocarbons which is also referred to as cycloparaffins. It has a unique color and thermal stability and solubility. These mentioned items make the RPO suitable for being used in molded articles, slippers, LPG tubes, floor tiles, etc.
Application:
Automobile Tires
Rubber shock absorbers
Footwear
Industrial Hoses
Wire and cable coverings
Flooring materials and carrier fluid
The solvent in the manufacture of adhesives
Sealants
Polishes and carbon black
Packaging:
- Bulk
- ISO Tank
- Flexi Tank
- Steel Drum