In the present study we report the results obtained on the use of rice bran oil (RBO), a naturally occurring nontoxic oil, and its epoxidized variety (epoxidized RBO, or ERBO) in the compounding and vulcanization of different natural rubber-chloroprene rubber (NR-CR) blends. The processability, cure characteristics, and physical properties of the blends prepared with these oils were compared with those of control mixes prepared with aromatic oil. The optimum cure time and scorch time values of the different blends prepared with these oils were found to be lower than those of the respective control blends prepared with aromatic oil. Evaluation of physical properties of the different experimental blends showed that replacement of aromatic oil with these oils did not adversely affect their physical properties. Because RBO contains a good amount of free fatty acids it was tried as a coactivator in addition to its role as a processing aid, The level of these oils required for the blend preparation was optimized in a Brabender plasticorder. Physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, swelling index, and abrasion loss, for example, were evaluated for both experimental and control mixes. Comparison of cure characteristics and physical properties of the blends prepared with aromatic oil and with these oils showed that these oils could be used in place of aromatic oil in the above blends. It is also to be noted that aromatic oil is of petroleum origin and is reported to be carcinogenic. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.