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Chemical Properties

low molecular weight formulations are liquid, Polybutadiene is a homopolymer of butadiene. The catalysts involved in the polymerization process determine the structure and molecular weight of the rubber. It is used in tires and for other products that require abrasion resistance. At times both SBR and polybutadiene are extended with oils. There are underlying hazards associated with the individual oils, some of which are carcinogenic in animals and suspected human carcinogens.

Uses

Component of water soluble binders and electrical encapsulants.

Definition

ChEBI: A macromolecule composed of repeating but-2-ene-1,4-diyl units.

Production Methods

The production of polybutadiene involves copolymerizing three parts butadiene and one part styrene. Also present in small amounts is an initiator or catalyst, which is usually a peroxide, and a chain-modifying agent such as dodecyl mercaptan. Isotactic cis-1,4 polybutadiene has been synthesized using a titanium halide such as titanium tetrachloride or titanium tetrabromide; using a cobalt salt of octanoate or napthenate, or complexes with pyridine; or using nickel halide catalyst based on boron trifluoride reduced by aluminum alkyls.

General Description

Polybutadiene is a synthetic rubber that is produced by solution polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. It has excellent mechanical properties which include low temperature flexibility and abrasion resistance. It can be cured by using sulfur based donors and peroxides to result in a highly cross-linked polymer with high resilience.

Carcinogenicity

The individual oil extenders are classified as suspected human carcinogens.