Ford Motor Company
LIQUID GUAYULE NATURAL RUBBER AS A PROCESSING AID

Abstract:

A rubber composite comprises at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber polymer and a plasticizer comprising a liquid natural rubber. The liquid natural rubber may be liquid guayule natural rubber. The rubber composite is substantially free of petroleum crude oil. Also provided are methods of making a rubber composite material including liquefying at least one of a guayule solid natural rubber and a guayule latex to form a liquid guayule natural rubber, mixing the liquid guayule natural rubber with at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber polymer to form a rubber mixture, and vulcanizing the rubber mixture.