polybutadiène

Polybutadiene is a synthetic rubber made from the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. It is one of the most widely produced synthetic rubbers globally due to its excellent elasticity and abrasion resistance. There are several types of polybutadiene depending on the catalyst used during polymerization, which influences the microstructure of the polymer chains and their properties. High-cis polybutadiene, produced using Ziegler-Natta catalysts, is characterized by a high proportion of cis-1,4 isomers, leading to superior elasticity and low-temperature flexibility. Low-cis polybutadiene and high-trans polybutadiene have different properties and applications.

The primary use of polybutadiene is in the tire industry, where it is blended with other rubbers like styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and natural rubber. Its inclusion in tire treads significantly improves wear resistance and rolling resistance, contributing to fuel efficiency. It is also used in the production of golf ball cores due to its high resilience. Beyond tires, polybutadiene finds applications in impact modification of plastics, particularly in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics, where it enhances toughness. It is also used in the manufacture of hoses, belts, and footwear. Polybutadiene can be vulcanized using sulfur, similar to other diene rubbers, to achieve its final useful properties.