polibutadiének

Polybutadiene, often abbreviated as BR, is a synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of butadiene. It is a homopolymer, meaning it is composed solely of repeating butadiene monomer units. The structure of polybutadiene can vary depending on the catalyst used during polymerization, leading to different types of BR such as high-cis, low-cis, and high-trans isomers. These variations significantly influence its physical properties.

Polybutadiene is characterized by its high resilience, excellent abrasion resistance, and good low-temperature flexibility. It is known for its very low glass transition temperature, which contributes to its elasticity even at sub-zero temperatures. However, pure polybutadiene has relatively poor tensile strength and tear resistance, and it is not highly resistant to oils and fuels.

Due to these properties, polybutadiene is rarely used in its pure form. Instead, it is frequently blended with other polymers, most notably natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), to improve their overall performance. These blends are widely used in the tire industry, where polybutadiene contributes to reduced rolling resistance and improved wear characteristics. Other applications include impact modification for plastics like polystyrene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), as well as in the production of golf balls. Its low damping properties also make it suitable for certain vibration-damping applications.