Plasticizer naphthenic hydrocarbon oils

The diene hydrocarbon rubbers are often blended with hydrocarbon oils. The oils decrease polymer viscosity and reduce hardness and low temperatures brittle point of the cured product. They are thus closely analogous to the plasticizers used with thermoplastics but are generally known as softners. Three main types of softners are distinguished aliphatic, aromatic, and naphthenic. The naphthenics are preferred for general all-round properties. 

The difference between plasticizers and tackifiers is somewhat arbitrary and the effect of this difference is described below in the section on Physical Properties. Plasticizers are typically lower in molecular weight and melting or softening point than are tackifiers. Hydrocarbon oils including aromatic, naphthenic, and paraffinic are commonly used with rubber-based adhesives. Phthalates, such as dioctyl phthalate or dibutyl phthalate, are more typically used in small amounts with acrylics. Since plasticizers are usually low molecular weight compounds, there is often more latitude in the chemical types that will be compatible with the base pol5mier because of the contribution from entropy of mixing. 

---