SBR rubber is a type of rubber that is very commonly used in place of NR, which is natural rubber. It has many uses. Usually these are tire compounds, coatings for cables, hoses and profiles. Porous and foam rubbers are also produced from it. It is used in the technology of rubber articles.

What does the abbreviation SBR stand for?

SBR rubber is a styrene-butadiene rubber, i.e. a copolymer of butadiene and styrene. SBR blend is obtained by emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and styrene. It is very often replaced with natural rubber to which it is very similar. This similarity manifests itself in elastic properties.

SBR rubber – Properties

SBR rubber is very flexible, which is why many manufacturers use it in place of natural rubber. Annually, 25 million tonnes of natural and artificial rubber are sold worldwide. The demand for rubber is also constantly growing, as the development of emerging countries requires it. SBR shows very good mechanical resistance, especially to abrasion and tearing. Unfortunately, its disadvantage is poor resistance to substances based on oils and mineral fuels, and to weather conditions. It is most often used for soles and tires.

In general, this rubber shows resistance to the effects of:

• inorganic acids and bases,
• water,
• alcohol,
• brake fluids (containing glycols).

SBR is not resistant to:

• mineral oils and greases,
• gasoline,
• chlorinated hydrocarbons,
• aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

SBR rubber is electrically conductive.

They are very resistant to clamps and hugs, wear-resistant, resistant to tearing. Their properties are preserved even at low temperatures. They show low resistance to ozone. Solar radiation can also affect their structure or functionality. SBR has the undoubted advantage of a relatively low price, with high resistance and physico-chemical functionality.

SBR shows the following values:

• hardness from 50 to 80 ShA,
• density 1.4 to 1.6 g / cm3,
• preservation of properties at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius.

A specific type of SBR is a variant containing a mixture of NR / SBR, i.e. natural rubber and artificial rubber. It is used to create boards that are odorless and non-toxic. Therefore, they easily obtain PZH approvals, which allows them to be used in contact with food. NR / SBR is also non-staining.

SBR rubber – Application

Vulcanized SBR items are used in many industries. The most common material for the production of washers and gaskets, which are used statically, unstretched and at higher temperatures. SBR is also used in the production of vibration isolation, for example: bumpers, damping sleepers. This rubber is also often used in the automotive industry, as seals of brake system components, seals in the sprinkler system, seals in the engine cooling mechanism and tires. The footwear industry produces shoe soles thanks to SBR. It can also be found in transmission belts, shock absorbing and vibration damping elements. Customers also appreciate SBR’s resistance to aging, which gives it an advantage over natural rubber. You should not work with SBR rubber in the company of mineral oils, because under their influence the rubber swells and dissolves. Note – SBR rubber is a flammable material.

In everyday life, SBR can also be found in computer mouse pads and in furniture feet and feet pads so that they do not slip. This rubber is also used as a double-sided adhesive element used in the production of postcards.

Many companies use SBR to produce various types of advertising gadgets. SBR porous micro-rubber can also be found in inserts for protective and work clothing. SBR is also used in the production of sports clothing as well as sports, hunting and equestrian equipment.

SBR rubber Trade names

Other trade names are also used in relation to SBR rubber:

• Buna EM
• Europrene
• Cariflex
• Polysar S
• Krylene