Overview
SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) is one of the most widely used synthetic rubber materials in the world. It is valued for its excellent abrasion resistance, impact resistance, aging stability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it a primary material for tire manufacturing and general industrial rubber applications.
Developed as an alternative to natural rubber, SBR offers consistent quality, good mechanical performance, and economical production. While it does not provide the oil resistance of NBR or the weather resistance of EPDM, it delivers an excellent balance of performance and affordability for a broad range of applications.
SBR is widely used in:
- Automotive Tires
- Industrial Belting
- Rubber Flooring
- Conveyor Systems
- Gaskets and Seals
- Footwear Components
- Vibration Isolation Products
- General Industrial Rubber Goods
Due to its low cost and strong wear resistance, SBR remains one of the most important elastomers in global manufacturing.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | SBR |
| Full Name | Styrene Butadiene Rubber |
| Material Family | Synthetic Rubber Elastomer |
| Density | 0.94–1.10 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Black, White, Colored |
| Hardness Range | Shore A 30–90 |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Compression Molding, Injection Molding, Extrusion |
| Standard Forms | Sheets, Rolls, Profiles, Molded Parts |
Chemical Composition
SBR is produced through the copolymerization of styrene and butadiene.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Styrene | Strength & Wear Resistance |
| Butadiene | Elasticity & Flexibility |
| Carbon Black | Reinforcement |
| Vulcanizing Agents | Crosslinking |
| Processing Additives | Performance Optimization |
The ratio of styrene to butadiene affects hardness, abrasion resistance, and elasticity.
Common SBR Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| General Purpose SBR | Standard Industrial Applications |
| High Abrasion SBR | Enhanced Wear Resistance |
| Tire Grade SBR | Automotive Tire Manufacturing |
| Oil-Extended SBR | Improved Processing |
| High Styrene SBR | Increased Hardness |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 10–25 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 250–600% |
| Tear Strength | 15–40 kN/m |
| Compression Set | Moderate |
| Hardness | Shore A 30–90 |
| Impact Resistance | Good |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Flexibility | Good |
| Elastic Recovery | Good |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good |
SBR provides excellent wear performance under repeated mechanical loading.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.94–1.10 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | Very Low |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.13–0.25 W/m·K |
| Surface Durability | Good |
| Vibration Damping | Excellent |
SBR is commonly used for vibration and shock absorption applications.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 100°C |
| Short-Term Temperature Resistance | Up to 120°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | Approximately -50°C |
| Brittleness Temperature | Below -50°C |
SBR performs reliably in moderate-temperature environments.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| SBR | 1.00 | 18 MPa |
| Natural Rubber | 0.93 | 22 MPa |
| EPDM | 1.10 | 12 MPa |
| NBR | 1.20 | 18 MPa |
SBR provides excellent value for general-purpose engineering applications.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Good |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Alcohols | Moderate |
| Salt Solutions | Good |
| Petroleum Oils | Poor |
| Fuels | Poor |
| Aromatic Solvents | Poor |
SBR is not recommended for oil and fuel handling applications.
Abrasion Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Abrasion Resistance | Outstanding |
| Surface Durability | Excellent |
| Tire Performance | Outstanding |
The excellent abrasion resistance of SBR is one of the reasons it dominates tire manufacturing.
Weather & UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| UV Resistance | Moderate |
| Ozone Resistance | Poor |
| Outdoor Durability | Moderate |
| Weather Aging Resistance | Moderate |
For long-term outdoor exposure, EPDM is generally preferred.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹¹ Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Strength | 10–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.5–4.0 |
| Electrical Insulation | Good |
SBR may be used in certain electrical insulation applications.
Compression Set Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Seal Retention | Good |
| Compression Recovery | Moderate |
| Long-Term Gasket Performance | Moderate |
| Elastic Stability | Good |
SBR is suitable for general-purpose sealing applications.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Compression Molding | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Outstanding |
| Transfer Molding | Excellent |
| Calendering | Outstanding |
SBR is one of the easiest and most economical rubber materials to process.
International Equivalent Standards
| Standard | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| ASTM D2000 | SBR |
| ISO | Styrene Butadiene Rubber |
| DIN | SBR-Kautschuk |
| JIS | SBR Rubber |
| GB/T (China) | 丁苯橡胶 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheets | Yes |
| Rolls | Yes |
| Gaskets | Yes |
| Profiles | Yes |
| Molded Parts | Yes |
| Rubber Flooring | Yes |
Typical Applications
Tire Industry
- Passenger Car Tires
- Truck Tires
- Motorcycle Tires
- Tire Treads
Industrial Equipment
- Conveyor Belts
- Rollers
- Flexible Connectors
- Protective Covers
Construction Industry
- Rubber Flooring
- Expansion Joint Pads
- Anti-Vibration Components
Automotive Industry
- Tire Components
- Suspension Bushings
- Vibration Dampers
Consumer Products
- Shoe Soles
- Sporting Equipment
- General Rubber Goods
Agricultural Equipment
- Wear Components
- Tire Applications
- Protective Rubber Parts
Advantages
Outstanding Abrasion Resistance
Excellent wear performance in dynamic applications.
Cost-Effective
One of the most economical synthetic rubber materials available.
Good Mechanical Strength
Suitable for general-purpose industrial applications.
Excellent Processability
Easy to mold, extrude, and manufacture.
Good Vibration Damping
Effective for shock absorption and vibration isolation.
Consistent Quality
Provides uniform performance across large production volumes.
Limitations
Poor Oil Resistance
Not suitable for petroleum oils and fuels.
Limited Weather Resistance
Less durable outdoors than EPDM or Silicone.
Moderate Heat Resistance
Not intended for high-temperature applications.
Poor Ozone Resistance
May crack during prolonged ozone exposure.
Comparison with Common Elastomers
| Property | SBR | Natural Rubber | EPDM | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Oil Resistance | Poor | Poor | Poor | Outstanding |
| Weather Resistance | Moderate | Poor | Outstanding | Poor |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Elasticity | Good | Outstanding | Excellent | Good |
Comparison with Natural Rubber
| Property | SBR | Natural Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | |
| Abrasion Resistance | Better | |
| Elasticity | Lower | |
| Aging Stability | Better | |
| Processing Consistency | Better |
SBR is often selected when consistent quality and lower cost are more important than maximum elasticity.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Matte Finish
- Smooth Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- Wear Resistant Finish
- Anti-Slip Surface
- Vibration Damping Finish
Specialty Grades
- Tire Grade SBR
- High Abrasion SBR
- Oil-Extended SBR
- High Styrene SBR
- Industrial SBR
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SBR?
SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) is a synthetic elastomer widely used in tires, industrial rubber products, and wear-resistant applications.
What is SBR used for?
Typical applications include:
- Tires
- Conveyor Belts
- Rubber Flooring
- Shoe Soles
- Industrial Components
Is SBR abrasion resistant?
Yes. SBR provides excellent abrasion and wear resistance.
Is SBR oil resistant?
No. SBR is not recommended for exposure to petroleum oils or fuels.
Is SBR weather resistant?
SBR offers moderate weather resistance but is less durable outdoors than EPDM.
Why choose SBR?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Abrasion Resistance
- Good Mechanical Strength
- Cost Efficiency
- Easy Processing
- Consistent Quality
What is the difference between SBR and Natural Rubber?
SBR provides better abrasion resistance, aging stability, and production consistency, while Natural Rubber offers higher elasticity.
Does GCNOV provide SBR manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- SBR Compression Molding
- SBR Injection Molding
- Rubber Flooring Manufacturing
- Conveyor Belt Components
- Industrial Rubber Products
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production