Sustainable multi-functional additives: Zinc soaps from vegetable oil and fatty acids in natural rubber compounds

Zinc soaps derived from various vegetable oils and fatty acids were synthesized, and the product with the highest yield was chosen for compounding with silica-filled natural rubber (NR). Specifically, zinc soaps of coconut oil and palm oil, with yields of 72% and 73%, respectively, were prepared through precipitation and metathesis methods. Additionally, zinc soaps from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) and stearic acid, both with a yield of 70%, were synthesized using modified fusion and precipitation methods, respectively. Subsequently, these zinc soaps were incorporated into silica-filled NR compounds and compared with the commercial dispersing aid, Ultra flow 700 s. The results indicated that the zinc soaps played a significant role in plasticizing and lubricating the rubber compounds, as evidenced by reductions in Mooney viscosity, Mooney relaxation rate, and minimum torque (ML). Furthermore, the zinc soaps influenced curing properties by accelerating the cure process, as reflected in decreased cure time (tc90) and increased cure rate and torque difference compared to compounds without processing aid. Moreover, NR compounded with zinc soap exhibited superior mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, and hardness. [Display omitted] •Synthesized zinc soaps from vegetable oil and fatty acids using precipitation, metathesis, and modified fusion methods.•Zinc soaps function as multifunctional additives in silica-filled natural rubber compounds.•They lubricate, activate cure reaction, and disperse chemical ingredients in silica-filled natural rubber compounds.•Zinc soaps derived from palm oil and PFAD exhibit superior plasticizing, curing, and mechanical properties.•Zinc soaps from palm and coconut oils are thus the most suitable for silica-filled natural rubber compounds.