Saltar al contenido
PTI LATAMExplorar Portal
🇲🇽 Español🇺🇸 English🇧🇷 Português
Materiales

SBR (Material)

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber — the world's most produced synthetic elastomer (approximately 6 million tonnes/year), originally developed as a wartime replacement for natural rubber. SBR offers good abrasion resistance, acceptable aging stability, and low cost, making it the general-purpose workhorse of the rubber industry. Styrene content typically 23.5% (standard) — higher styrene increases hardness and stiffness but reduces resilience and low-temperature flexibility. Properties: hardness 40-90 Shore A, tensile 10-25 MPa (with carbon black reinforcement), elongation 300-600%, resilience lower than NR (50-60% vs 80%). ASTM D2000 classification: AA (standard), BA (higher grades). Production types: emulsion SBR (E-SBR, for general products) and solution SBR (S-SBR, better rolling resistance, for modern tire treads). Limitations: poor oil resistance, poor ozone resistance without antiozonant additives. Applications: tire treads and sidewalls (largest use), industrial rubber sheet and flooring, conveyor belt covers, gaskets, footwear soles, hose covers, and roll coverings. Often blended with NR or BR to optimize properties.

What you need to know

  • Styrene-Butadiene Rubber — the world's most produced synthetic elastomer (approximately 6 million tonnes/year), originally developed as a wartime replacement for natural rubber.
  • SBR offers good abrasion resistance, acceptable aging stability, and low cost, making it the general-purpose workhorse of the rubber industry.
  • Styrene content typically 23.5% (standard) — higher styrene increases hardness and stiffness but reduces resilience and low-temperature flexibility.
  • Properties: hardness 40-90 Shore A, tensile 10-25 MPa (with carbon black reinforcement), elongation 300-600%, resilience lower than NR (50-60% vs 80%).
  • ASTM D2000 classification: AA (standard), BA (higher grades).

Full definition

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is a synthetic elastomer that has become the most widely produced rubber in the world, with an annual production of approximately 6 million tonnes. Initially developed during World War II as a substitute for natural rubber, SBR is valued for its excellent balance of properties, making it a versatile choice in various industrial applications. The typical styrene content in SBR is around 23.5%, which influences the material's hardness and flexibility. Higher styrene levels can enhance hardness and stiffness but can compromise resilience and low-temperature performance. As a result, SBR is commonly utilized in applications where these properties are essential, such as in tire manufacturing and industrial components.

SBR exhibits a hardness range of 40-90 Shore A and tensile strength between 10-25 MPa when reinforced with carbon black. This capability allows SBR to stretch up to 300-600% before breaking, providing significant elongation properties. However, compared to natural rubber (NR), SBR's resilience is lower, averaging between 50-60%, while NR can achieve around 80%. The classification of SBR under ASTM D2000 includes standard grades (AA) and higher performance grades (BA), which further define the material's use in demanding applications.

There are two primary types of SBR: emulsion SBR (E-SBR), which is typically used for general products, and solution SBR (S-SBR), which is preferred for applications requiring improved rolling resistance, such as modern tire treads. Despite its many benefits, SBR has limitations, particularly in its resistance to oil and ozone, often requiring the use of antiozonant additives to enhance durability in specific environments. Common applications include tire treads and sidewalls, industrial rubber sheets, flooring, conveyor belt covers, gaskets, footwear soles, hose covers, and roll coverings. Due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, SBR is frequently blended with natural rubber (NR) or butyl rubber (BR) to optimize performance characteristics for various applications.

What you need to know

  • SBR is the most produced synthetic elastomer, with around 6 million tonnes produced annually.
  • Typical styrene content of SBR is 23.5%, affecting hardness and flexibility properties.
  • Hardness ranges from 40-90 Shore A, with tensile strength between 10-25 MPa when carbon black is added.
  • SBR has an elongation of 300-600%, but its resilience is lower than that of natural rubber, averaging 50-60%.
  • Two main types of SBR are E-SBR for general use and S-SBR for applications requiring better rolling resistance.

Industrial applications

  • 1Tire treads and sidewalls, where durability and flexibility are critical.
  • 2Industrial rubber sheets for protective coverings and seals.
  • 3Conveyor belt covers that require abrasion resistance and flexibility.
  • 4Gaskets in various machinery applications to ensure sealing.
  • 5Footwear soles where wear resistance and comfort are essential.

Common mistakes

  • ✕Overlooking the need for antiozonant additives in outdoor applications, leading to premature degradation.
  • ✕Assuming all SBR grades have the same performance capabilities without considering ASTM classifications.
  • ✕Neglecting to consider the impact of styrene content on low-temperature flexibility in SBR applications.
💡

Pro tip

When selecting SBR for specific applications, consider blending with NR or BR to enhance performance characteristics like resilience and durability.

Technical standards

  • ASTM D2000 - Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications.
  • ISO 1629 - Rubber and Latices - Identification of Rubber Polymeric Materials.

Suppliers of industrial materials in Mexico

AguascalientesVer Hule Industrial
Ciudad JuárezVer Hule Industrial
Ciudad de MéxicoVer Hule Industrial
GuadalajaraVer Hule Industrial
Cotiza en tu ciudad

Applicable standards

ASTM D2000

Related terms

ElastomerMateriales
Back to glossary