Polybutadiene - The Versatile Synthetic Rubber

Polybutadiene
Polybutadiene


 Introduction

Polybutadiene, commonly known as 'butadiene rubber' or BR, is a synthetic rubber produced through the polymerization of the monomer 1,3-butadiene. It is a polymer with excellent mechanical properties and finds uses across diverse industries. In this article, we will explore the production process, properties, applications and future prospects of polybutadiene.

Production Process
Polybutadiene is produced through a process known as 'solution polymerization'. In this process, 1,3-butadiene monomer is dissolved in an organic solvent like hexane or heptane in the presence of an initiator and then polymerized at high temperatures between 60-90°C. Common initiators used are organic peroxides or azo compounds which help in kicking off the radical polymerization reaction. The reaction generates high molecular weight polybutadiene polymer chains within a short span of 3-4 hours. After polymerization, the solvent is removed through evaporation leaving behind a pale yellow to off-white colored synthetic rubber. The properties and structure of polybutadiene can be tailored by controlling reaction parameters like temperature, choice of solvent, type of initiator etc.

Properties
Polybutadiene has excellent mechanical properties like flexibility, tensile strength, abrasion and tear resistance which make it suitable for various applications. Its properties can be broadly categorized as:

- Elasticity: High elongation at break of over 500% enables high flex resistance and comfort.

- Toughness: Above average impact strength and tear resistance enables use in tires and other products requiring durability.

- Temperature Resistance: It has a service temperature range of -50°C to +80°C making it ideal for applications across climatic conditions.

- Aging Resistance: Slow rate of oxidative aging helps preserve its properties over long term use.

- Chemistry: The double bonds in its structure allows for vulcanization and functionalization reactions to tailor its properties.

The microstructure and hence properties of polybutadiene depend on the cis-trans ratio of the double bonds along the polymer chain. Industrial grades typically have a cis content between 80-98%.

Applications
Owing to its versatile mechanical properties, polybutadiene finds diverse applications ranging from tires, footwear to adhesives and construction. Some key applications are:

Tires - As tire tread and sidewall material, Polybutadiene  provides cushioning, wear resistance and flex durability important for tires. Around 65% of BR produced worldwide goes into tire manufacturing.

Footwear - Used in shoe soles and heels, it provides cushioning and flexibility vital for comfort in footwear.

Industrial Rubber Products - Hoses, belts, gaskets, seals utilize its ability to withstand vibration and flex fatigue over extended use.

Adhesives - Its adhering properties make it useful in contact adhesives, sealants and emulsion adhesives.

Sports Goods - In articles like bowling balls, sports mats etc where resiliency and toughness are key.

Modification and Future
Traditional polybutadiene can be further modified to introduce improved properties. Some notable modified variants are:

- High Cis Polybutadiene - Increased cis content above 95% provides enhanced strength and hardness for specialized tire compounds.

- Butyl Rubber - Copolymerization with 15-45% isobutylene introduces improved air retention for innerliners in tubeless tires.

- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) - Copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene with oil and solvent resistance and strong adhesion.

With the increased focus on sustainability, new generation polybutadienes synthesized from plant based bio-butadiene are also being researched which can reduce fossil resource dependency. Continuous product innovation focusing on reinforcement of properties, development of specialty grades and bio-based variants will pave the way for polybutadiene rubber in the future.

Polybutadiene has established itself as a dependable synthetic rubber owing to its ability to deliver performance at economic costs. Versatile mechanical properties along with easy processability have enabled it to effectively replace natural rubber in many applications. Continuous efforts to further enhance its strengths and develop new specialty variants will ensure it remains relevant in the rubber industry going forward.

Get more insights, On Polybutadiene

Check more trending articles related to this topic: Stem Cells Market

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Liquid handling systems range from simple volumetric pipettes to robotic assisted liquid handling

Image
  Simple volumetric pipettes to robotically assisted liquid handling workstations connected with cloud-based software are just a few examples of the several liquid handling devices that are available to carry out diverse life science research. In the processing and preparation of biological samples, serial dilution, cell-based assays, production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, genomic extraction, microarray spotting, next-generation gene sequencing, protein crystallization, and other processes, liquid handling systems are used. A wide range of applications in clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, and biotechnological drug development are also made possible by the systems' vital tools. The liquid handling systems boost accuracy, speed up experiment processing, and reduce sample contamination risk. Liquid Handling Systems Market includes all methods of moving liquid reagents, from hand-held single-channel pipettes to a wide range of massive robotic platforms. These instr
Read more

Cervical cancer drugs are the earliest signs of cervical cancer.

Image
  Women who are sexually active and between the ages of 30 and 45 are more likely to get cervical cancer than any other age group. Early on, cervical cancer frequently exhibits no signs. However, by using the Pap test (Papanicolaou test), a screening tool that can identify abnormalities in the cervix before cancer develops, the fatality rate from cervical cancer can be considerably decreased. There are other cervical cancer subtypes, however the two most common subtypes are squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Diverse medical specialties frequently collaborate in the treatment of Cervical Cancer Drugs Market to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates a variety of therapies. It is referred to as a multidisciplinary team. Oncology nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, counsellors, nutritionists, and other health care specialists are some of the various health care providers who work on cancer care teams. The type and stag
Read more

Start-stop Battery are increasingly requested by automotive manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions.

Image
  As the vehicle's internal combustion engine is automatically shut off and restarted, start-stop technology helps cut down on the amount of time that engines are left idling, hence lowering fuel consumption and emissions. In turn, this poses as a primary element driving expansion of the start-stop battery. Start-stop technology is increasingly being integrated into different automotive vehicles. Batteries with a stop/start function are made to use less fuel, emit fewer pollutants, and cost less to operate. When an automobile is halted (for example, at a stop sign), the engine keeps running, using fuel and raising the cost of operation and emissions levels. A Start-stop Battery Market car battery was created specifically to suit the demands of today's start/stop-equipped passenger cars. A mechanism in recent automobile models called Stop/Start (or Start/Stop batteries, depending on your preference) automatically starts and stops the engine of the car when it is stationary a
Read more