THE EFFECT OF PLANT-BASED OILS AND CELLULOSE FILLERS ON THE RHEOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TIRE TREAD

In this study, commercial tire tread which should be as an economical and more environmentally friendly was aimed to be modified by using cellulosic fiber and/or plant-based oil. The ratio of cellulose fiber to carbon was used as 0.33:1. The plant based oil used as 20.8 phr instead of the aromatic oil in the mixture of the tire's tread. The tire treads were prepared by using 10 different mixture, one of them was control and others testing mixture. Rheological tests before vulcanization and physico-mechanical tests after vulcanization were applied to the prepared samples. Vulcanization characteristics were obtained by using a moving die rheometer (190 degrees C, 3min). All tests were carried out in accordance with the relevant ASTM D standard test procedure. According to the results the rheological, physical and mechanical properties showed significant changes depending on the natural fillers. The values of the curing time and scorch time were increased while the maximum and minimum torque values were reduced for rubber samples produced using the natural fillers. Plant-based oil had higher cure extent values than the cellulose fiber this represents a higher cross-linking degree during cure reaction. The abrasion and tensile strength were reduced negatively with all types of cellulose fillers. Test results of all of the different types of Plant-based oil were proper in standard values except tear strength.