What is Butyl Rubber?

Butyl Rubber Sheet

    Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber, a copolymer of isobutylene with isoprene. The abbreviation for isoprene-isobutylene rubber is IIR (Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber). Polyisobutylene, also known as PIB or polyisobutene, (C4H8), is the homopolymer of isobutylene, or 2-methyl-1-propene, on which butyl rubber is based. Butyl rubber is produced by polymerizing approximately 98% isobutylene with 2% isoprene. Structurally, polyisobutylene resembles polypropylene, but has two substituent methyl groups on one of the two carbon atoms. Polyisobutylene is a colorless to pale yellow liquid viscoelastic material. It is generally odorless and tasteless, although it may have a slight characteristic odour. Butyl rubber has excellent impermeability, and the long polyisobutylene segments in its polymer chain give it good flex properties.

Chemical Structure and Synthesis Process

    Polyisobutylene is a vinyl polymer with a structure very similar to polyethylene and polypropylene except that one of the carbons has the hydrogens replaced by two methyl groups. It is obtained from the monomer isobutylene, by cationic vinyl polymerization. A small amount of isoprene is added to isobutylene. The polymerization is carried out at -100ºC because the reaction is very fast and could not be controlled unless working at that temperature. By adding isoprene (natural rubber monomer) it is possible to obtain a copolymer as shown below.

Isobutylene Rubber Chemical Structure

Out of every hundred monomer units, about one or two are isoprene. These have double bonds, which means that the polymer can be vulcanized cross-linked exactly like natural rubber.

Characteristics

    Butyl rubber is impermeable to air and is used in many applications that require a rubber seal. Polyisobutylene and butyl rubber are used in the manufacture of adhesives, agricultural chemicals, fiber optic composites, ball chambers, caulks and sealants, cling film, electrical fluids, lubricants, paper and pulp, personal care products, concentrated pigments, modification of rubber and polymers, to protect and seal certain equipment for use in areas where chemical agents are present, additive for gasoline and diesel fuel and even in chewing gum. The first important application of butyl rubber is the inner tubes of tires. This is still an important segment of their market today.

Uses of Butyl Rubber

1. Additives for Fuel and Lubricants

    Polyisobutylene (in the form of polyisobutylene succinimide, PIBSI) has interesting properties when used as an additive in lubricants and fuels. Polyisobutylene added in small amounts to lubricating oils used in machining results in a significant reduction in oil mist generation and thus reduces operator inhalation of harmful substances. It is also used to clean up water from oil spills as part of the commercial product Elastol. When added to crude oil, it increases its viscoelasticity, causing the oil to remain agglomerated when it is sucked up from the surface of the water.

    As a fuel additive, polyisobutylene has detergent properties.When added to diesel fuel, it prevents contamination of fuel injectors, leading to reduced hydrocarbon and particulate emissions. Mixed with other detergents and additives it is added to gasoline and diesel fuel to prevent deposit build-up in the engine. Polyisobutylene is used in some formulations as a thickening agent.

2. Sports Equipment

    Butyl rubber is used for the inner tubes of basketballs, soccer balls, and other inflatable balls to provide a tough, watertight internal compartment.

3. Gas Masks and Protection Equipment from Chemical Agents

    Butyl rubber is one of the most solid elastomers when subjected to chemical agents and decontamination materials. It is a harder and less porous material than other elastomers such as natural rubber or silicone, but still has enough elasticity to form a tight seal. Although butyl rubber breaks down when exposed to agents such as NH3 (ammonia) or certain solvents, it breaks down more slowly than other elastomers. Therefore, it is used to create seals on gas masks and other protective clothing.

4. Other Uses

    Polyisobutylene is used as a binder in explosives material, such as C4. C4 is one of the most powerful explosives after TNT known to date. Halogenated butyl rubber (bromobutyl and chlorobutyl) also are used in the pharmaceutical industry to make stoppers for bottles of injectable antibiotics. These present good resistance to sterilization and lyophilization processes.

Conclusion

From the description above, we know that butyl rubber is one of synthetic rubber that used in the production of fuel and lubricant, the manufacture of sports equipment, and even explosives material. If you still have questions about butyl rubber or you are currently in need of it for your production process and industrial needs, there is one of the leading butyl rubber suppliers, Rubbertradeasia. You can visit the hyperlink for further contact. Thank you.

 

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