Butadiene Rubber (BR)
Butadiene Rubber (BR)
Polymer Type: Elastomer
Key Properties
- High resilience
- High abrasion resistance
- Elasticity
- Tear resistance
- Vibration dampening
Applications
- Tires
- Conveyor belts
- Hoses
- Footwear
- Sporting goods
Additional Information
Butadiene Rubber (BR) is a synthetic rubber known for its high resilience and excellent abrasion resistance. It possesses remarkable low-temperature flexibility, making it a key component in tire manufacturing. BR is widely used in various applications, including conveyor belts, shoe soles, and adhesives, where its unique combination of properties contributes to enhanced performance and longevity.
Elastomers undergo various processing steps to transform them into final parts with desired properties:
Mixing: The elastomer is mixed with various additives like fillers, reinforcing agents (e.g., carbon black), vulcanizing agents, and processing aids. This ensures uniform distribution and optimizes the rubber compound’s characteristics for the specific application.
Shaping: e.g uncured rubber is placed in a mold and subjected to heat and pressure to take on the mold’s shape. This is essential for complex parts like tire treads and shoe soles.
Vulcanization: This crucial step involves heating the rubber compound with vulcanizing agents, triggering cross-linking between polymer chains. This significantly enhances strength, elasticity, and wear resistance compared to the uncured state.
Finishing: Final processing steps may include trimming, surface treatment, and quality control checks to ensure the part meets specifications.
Understanding the processing steps and their influence on final part properties is crucial for selecting the right BR compound – and other elastomer materials – and technique for optimal performance in various applications. For instance, different fillers and reinforcing agents can enhance specific properties like wear resistance or tear strength. Additionally, the vulcanization process parameters play a significant role in determining the final characteristics of the rubber.
While not readily biodegradable, research and development efforts are ongoing to explore more sustainable versions of BR. By leveraging its unique properties and versatile processing methods, Butadiene Rubber continues to be a valuable material for creating high-performing and durable products across a wide range of industries.
