These materials are used in the tire industry to make car tires, and it is interesting to know that more than 70% of polybutadiene materials are used in this field
Polybutadiene rubber, commonly known as PBR, is a synthetic rubber that belongs to the class of elastomers. It is formed through the polymerization of butadiene, a monomer derived from petroleum. Polybutadiene rubber possesses unique properties that make it valuable in various applications. PBR is characterized by its high resilience, excellent abrasion resistance, and low Glass transition temperature. It has a high degree of elasticity, allowing it to recover its original shape after being stretched or deformed. This makes it ideal for use in products that require flexibility and impact resistance.
The PBR rubber polybutadiene compound is a synthetic rubber. Polybutadiene rubber is a polymeric compound that is formed from the polymerization reaction of units 1 and 3 of butadiene. PBR is the fourth most widely used Chemical in the world in 2012. PBR materials are widely used in the rubber industry and in the plastics industry. These materials are used in the tire industry to make car tires, and it is interesting to know that more than 70% of polybutadiene materials are used in this field. Polybutadiene has a high resistance to tearing and therefore has a wide range of applications in the rubber industry.
Polybutadiene rubber consists of a polymer chain made up of repeating units of butadiene. Butadiene is a monomer that contains four carbon atoms and two double bonds. The arrangement of these repeating units along the polymer chain gives polybutadiene rubber its unique properties. There are two main types of polybutadiene rubber: high cis and high trans. High cis polybutadiene rubber has a high percentage of cis double bonds in its polymer chain, which enhances its elasticity and resilience. High trans polybutadiene rubber, on the other hand, has a high percentage of trans double bonds, which makes it stiffer and less elastic.
The properties of polybutadiene rubber can be modified by incorporating various additives. For instance, fillers like carbon black are commonly added to improve the mechanical properties and reduce costs. Other additives can be used to enhance oil resistance, heat resistance, flame retardancy, or to provide specific functionalities. 25% of it is used in plastic industry. In this area, PBR materials are added to plastics to enhance the mechanical properties of plastics. It is also used as a rubber pad between bricks and railroad tracks. Process quality is more important than the use of plastic materials than their use in tires. This is especially important when it comes to tire color and odor stability. That is why the standards of the rubber industry cover all these factors. Features and properties of polybutadiene:
- The rubber is solid, light yellow, insoluble in water and odorless.
- Melts at high temperatures. It should not be exposed to oxidants.
- The storage temperature of these materials should not be higher than 30 ° C and it can also be stored for one year.
- If decomposed by heat, carbon dioxide and Oxygen will be produced, which reduces the oxygen in the air.
- These PBR materials are produced and supplied by Petrochemicals in packages with different weights.
Polybutadiene rubber is typically produced through the process of polymerization. Butadiene monomers are polymerized using various catalysts, such as neodymium-based or cobalt-based catalysts. The polymerization can be carried out using solution polymerization, emulsion polymerization, or bulk polymerization methods. Polybutadiene rubber exhibits several key properties that make it valuable in different applications. These include high tensile strength, excellent abrasion resistance, low hysteresis (energy loss during deformation), good resilience, low glass transition temperature, and high resistance to wear and tear. It also has good electrical insulation properties.
Polybutadiene rubber is commonly used in the manufacturing of tires, where it is blended with other rubbers such as natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The addition of PBR improves the tire's rolling resistance, wet grip, and overall durability. It enhances the tire's ability to grip the road, providing better traction and reducing wear. In addition to tires, polybutadiene rubber finds applications in various industrial products, such as conveyor belts, hoses, gaskets, seals, and vibration dampers. It is also used in the production of footwear, sporting goods, and adhesives.
The properties of polybutadiene rubber can be modified by adjusting its molecular structure and incorporating additives. This allows manufacturers to tailor the material to meet specific requirements, such as increased oil resistance, improved tensile strength, or enhanced heat resistance. Overall, polybutadiene rubber is a versatile synthetic rubber with valuable properties that contribute to its widespread use in a range of industrial and consumer applications.
Polybutadiene rubber is often blended with other rubbers to achieve specific performance characteristics. For example, blending polybutadiene rubber with natural rubber improves its resilience and wear resistance, while blending it with styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) enhances its processing properties and durability. Polybutadiene rubber finds extensive use in the automotive industry, particularly in tire manufacturing. It is used in tire treads, sidewalls, and inner liners to improve traction, rolling resistance, and overall tire performance. Apart from tires, polybutadiene rubber is utilized in a wide range of industrial products, including belts, hoses, seals, gaskets, shoe soles, adhesives, and coatings.
