Chromatographic Analysis of Petroleum Fractions Used in Oil-Extended Rubber

Abstract

The classification of oils with respect to differences in composition is important in their use in the manufacture of oil-extended butadiene-styrene rubber. A rapid chromatographic method of analysis has been developed in which 2.5- to 3.0-gram samples of oil are desorbed from silica gel into five different fractions by successive elution with pentane, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and ethanol as eluents. Six extender-oils were analyzed by this method. Physical properties of the separated fractions showed marked differences between fractions of the same oil and similarities between corresponding fractions of the different oils. The chromatographic separation of extender-oils into compositionally different fractions provides a method for evaluation of the effect of different components on specific properties of the finished rubber product.