AReview on Alternatives for highly Aromatic Process Oil Used in Tire Industry

Highly aromatic petroleum oils which have been used widely as process oils in tire industry, contain high concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds (PAHs) are proved to be carcinogenic and threaten the environment. Thus, the use of highly aromatic process oil in tire rubber compounds has been banned in Europe since 2010 and will be gradually globalized. Therefore, replacing these process oils with low aromatic ones has become a global challenge today. This study, has reviewed process oils as a whole, carcinogenicity of highly aromatic process oils used in tire industry and methods to determine the carcinogenicity of process oils. Also, different alternatives for highly aromatic process oils have been introduced taking a look at some published studies in this regard.