Soybean Oil Derivatives

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Invention Summary There has been growing commercial and industrial interest in biodegradable and renewable materials over petroleum-based materials. Particularly, soybean oil is widely used due to its availability and low cost. Chisholm et al have determined that appropriate modification of soybean oil results in materials for use as a processing oil for rubber compounds. They show, through numerous examples, that the use of unmodified soybean oil reduces key mechanical properties, such as moduli and tensile strength when compared to conventional petroleumbased processing oils. However, rheological and mechanical properties can be substantially improved by 1) styrenating the soybean oil or 2) producing a higher molecular weight liquid from soybean oil (ex: sucrose soyate and soy-based oligomer). Thus, soybean oil can be used as the basis for a bio-based and green alternative to petroleum-based oils for rubber compounds. Benefits Eco-friendly with low toxicity Utilizes widely available materials Key mechanical properties comparable to industry standard Technology RFT-512: The technology includes identification of styrenated plant oils, styrenated plant oilbased polyesters, and styrenated plant oil-based poly(vinyl ethers) for use as processing aids for rubber compounds. It also includes the methods for producing the styrenated compounds and rubber materials. RFT-513: The technology includes rubber compounds incorporating sucrose fatty acid esters or poly(vinyl ether) fatty acid esters that contain plant oil-derived fatty acids in addition to the methods of making and using the compounds.