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What is Styrene-Butadiene Rubber?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most versatile copolymer rubber compounds. It consists of the organic compound styrene and the chemical budatiene, with the amount of budatiene usually being about three times more than the amount of styrene. SBR is a stable synthetic that is resistant to abrasion. It is used in a wide variety of products, such as automobile tires, children's toys, shoe soles and even chewing gum.

This compound is produced either through ionic polymerization of a solution or as an emulsion through free radical polymerization. Also known as emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (E-SBR), this product was first developed in the 1930s by I.G. Farbenindustrie in Germany. It was created through an emulsion procedure that used polymerization as the means of producing a material that had a low reaction viscosity but had all the attributes of natural rubber. It was very cost-effective and was used to stretch dwindling natural rubber resources, especially in tire manufacturing at a time when tires were made of solid rubber.

Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make shoe soles.
Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make shoe soles.

This rubber soon began to be produced in other countries, and its production in the United States was increased during World War II to help stockpile material for the war effort. Much of the production was done in plants owned by the U.S. government, and many of the products manufactured went directly to the country's military forces. It was also during this time that a cold polymerized blend of styrene and butadiene was created that was superior to the older hot polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber that had been produced previously. After the end of World War II, SBR plants began to be sold to private industry, and by 1955, its production in the U.S. had been completely privatized.

Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make vehicle brake pads.
Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make vehicle brake pads.

SBR can be found in many products, some of them predictable and others that might be surprising. Along with being used in the production of new auto tires, many companies that retread old tires use a coating of this rubber to produce the retreads. Among the other obvious uses are in gaskets, belts and hoses for machinery, and brake pads and clutch pads for vehicles.

Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to coat the walls and floors of rooms that are prone to experiencing dampness.
Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to coat the walls and floors of rooms that are prone to experiencing dampness.

Around the home, SBR is found in toys, caulking compounds, sponges, shoe soles and floor tiles. Some of the less expected uses of it are is the production of sanitary products, surgical gloves, and gum. This rubber also can be used to coat the walls, ceiling, and floors of rooms that are prone to being damp, such as basement rooms.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AboutMechanics, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AboutMechanics, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon974103

What is the density (at what temp) and what is the coefficient of vlumetric density? I believe it to be negative.

anon973533

Does anyone know where I could find the mechanism for a butandiene styrene radical reaction?

anon157649

Does SBR have any smell?

anon110965

does anyone offer a warranty for this product and how detailed is it?

anon82433

styrene butadine rubber when mixed with portland cement, does it have expansion contraction properties.

anon53673

Is petroleum used to create SBR? If so, is it used in large quantities?

anon41403

YEP there is sbr latex available. try some of the big synthetic polymer producers: i.e., dupont, copolymer, general,

etc.

anon30767

we are manufacturers of latex foam. we want to know if we use sbr for latex foam rubber?

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    • Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make shoe soles.
      By: Alexandr Vlassyuk
      Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make shoe soles.
    • Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make vehicle brake pads.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make vehicle brake pads.
    • Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to coat the walls and floors of rooms that are prone to experiencing dampness.
      By: sergey02
      Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to coat the walls and floors of rooms that are prone to experiencing dampness.
    • Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make children's toys.
      By: Tanouchka
      Styrene-butadiene rubber may be used to make children's toys.
    • Styrene-butadiene rubber tires.
      By: Joost J. Bakker
      Styrene-butadiene rubber tires.
    • Some chewing gum is made from styrene-butadiene rubber.
      By: blende40
      Some chewing gum is made from styrene-butadiene rubber.
    • Styrene-butadiene rubber is used in surgical gloves.
      By: lilibella
      Styrene-butadiene rubber is used in surgical gloves.