Purified refinery sludge as process aid in sulphur vulcanization of natural rubber

This paper reports the data obtained on an attempt at the utilisation of th e sludge which is a dumped waste of petroleum refineries. This sludge after purification was used as a processing aid in the sulphur vulcanization of natural rubber where carbon black is used as filler Different mixes, contai ning varying concentrations of aromatic oil/refinery sludge were prepared. These mixes were evaluated for their cure characteristics and the vulcaniza tes were tested for various physical properties and crosslink density inclu ding ageing. Purified refinery sludge can substitute for the conventional p rocess oil without much affecting the cure properties of the mixes.