Low CIS Poly Butadiene Rubber

Low Cis Polybutadiene Rubber (Low Cis PBR) is a synthetic rubber that has a lower proportion of cis-1,4-polybutadiene units in its polymer chains compared to High Cis PBR. This variation in the microstructure affects its physical and mechanical properties, making it suitable for different applications.

OVERVIEW of Low CIS Poly Butadiene Rubber

Low CIS Polybutadiene Rubber is a type of polybutadiene rubber with a lower percentage of cis-1,4 configuration in its polymer chain. In this material, the majority of the butadiene units are in a trans configuration or other linkages, resulting in different physical properties compared to high CIS polybutadiene rubber. This lower cis content influences its mechanical performance, making it suitable for specific applications where its unique characteristics are advantageous.

Manufacturing Process:

  1. Polymerization:
    • Preparation: Low CIS polybutadiene is produced through the polymerization of butadiene monomers.
    • Catalysis: Anionic or Ziegler-Natta catalysts are used to control the polymerization process and to achieve the desired low cis content in the polymer chain. These catalysts help to regulate the structure of the polymer.
    • Polymerization Reaction: The butadiene is polymerized to form polybutadiene with a lower percentage of cis-1,4 links. This can be achieved by using specific polymerization conditions or catalysts that favor the formation of trans-1,4 or 1,2 linkages.
    • Processing: After polymerization, the rubber is compounded with various additives such as stabilizers, antioxidants, and plasticizers to improve its performance and processability.
  2. Processing:
    • Compounding: The low CIS polybutadiene rubber is mixed with other materials to produce a compound with specific properties required for various applications.
    • Processing: The compound is then processed into its final form using techniques such as extrusion, molding, or calendering.

Characteristics:

  1. Lower Resilience: Compared to high CIS polybutadiene, low CIS polybutadiene typically has lower resilience and rebound properties, which may affect its performance in dynamic applications.
  2. Different Wear Resistance: It may have different wear resistance characteristics, which can be beneficial for applications where high abrasion resistance is not as critical.
  3. Varied Elasticity: Offers different levels of elasticity and flexibility, depending on the specific composition and processing conditions.

Characteristics:

  1. Polymer Structure:
    • Cis Content: Typically between 10% and 50% cis-1,4 units, with a higher proportion of trans-1,4 units.
    • Molecular Weight: Varies, which affects the rubber's processing and mechanical properties.
  2. Physical Properties:
    • Mooney Viscosity: Ranges from 30 to 90 Mooney units, affecting processability and ease of mixing.
    • Tensile Strength: Generally high but may be slightly lower than that of high cis-PBR due to different molecular arrangements.
    • Elongation at Break: High, though usually less than high cis-PBR.
    • Hardness: Adjustable, typically ranging from Shore A 40 to 90.
  3. Key Characteristics:
    • Flexibility: Lower flexibility at low temperatures compared to high cis-PBR, with reduced performance in extremely cold conditions.
    • Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Higher than high cis-PBR, typically around -80°C to -90°C (-112°F to -130°F), which affects flexibility.
    • Resilience: Good, but generally less than high cis-PBR.
    • Wear Resistance: Good, though it may not match the high abrasion resistance of high cis-PBR.
    • Tear Strength: Adequate but typically less than that of high cis-PBR.

Applications of Low cis-Polybutadiene Rubber:

  1. Automotive Industry:
    • Tires: Used in tire treads and sidewalls where cost-efficiency and a balance of performance and durability are needed.
    • Automotive Seals and Gaskets: Applied in general-purpose seals and gaskets where extreme flexibility is less critical.
  2. Industrial Applications:
    • Conveyor Belts: Suitable for conveyor belts in environments where high wear resistance is needed but extreme flexibility is less important.
    • Industrial Hoses: Used in hoses requiring durability and wear resistance.
  3. Consumer Products:
    • Footwear: Incorporated into shoe soles and other rubber parts where durability and comfort are necessary but not extreme flexibility.
    • Sports Equipment: Applied in sports equipment where a balance of performance and cost is needed.
  4. Agricultural Machinery:
    • Belts and Hoses: Used in machinery components that face wear and require durability but do not need the high flexibility of high cis-PBR.
  5. Construction:
    • Rubber Mats: Provides durability and cushioning for flooring and matting applications.
    • Sealants: Suitable for general-purpose sealants where flexibility and cold-weather performance are less critical.
  6. Miscellaneous:
    • Molded Products: Used in molded rubber products where a balance of cost and performance is desired.

Low cis-Polybutadiene Rubber has lower cis content, leading to reduced flexibility at low temperatures and a higher Tg compared to high cis-PBR. It offers good tensile strength, wear resistance, and processability, making it suitable for applications where extreme low-temperature flexibility is not essential. Its use spans across automotive, industrial, consumer, and construction applications, where a balance of performance, durability, and cost is important.
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Types of Low CIS Poly Butadiene Rubber

Cobalt Catalyst

Low CIS Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) produced with Cobalt Catalysts exhibits specific characteristics that make it suitable for various applications.

Characteristics of Low CIS PBR Produced with Cobalt Catalysts:

  1. Lower Cis Content: Low CIS PBR typically contains a lower proportion of cis double bonds in its polymer chain compared to high cis PBR. This results in a higher content of trans double bonds, which affects the rubber’s mechanical properties.
  2. High Trans Content: Cobalt Catalysts tend to promote the formation of trans-polybutadiene, leading to a higher proportion of trans double bonds in the polymer structure. This imparts specific characteristics to the rubber.
  3. Good Processability: Low CIS PBR produced with Cobalt Catalysts often exhibits good processability, making it suitable for various manufacturing processes such as molding, extrusion, and calendaring.
  4. Moderate Tensile Strength: While Low CIS PBR may have slightly lower tensile strength compared to High CIS PBR, it still offers sufficient mechanical strength for many applications.
  5. Moderate Resilience: The presence of trans double bonds in Low CIS PBR contributes to its resilience and elasticity, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and rebound properties.

Applications of Low CIS PBR Produced with Cobalt Catalysts:

  1. Tires: Low CIS PBR, particularly when produced with Cobalt Catalysts, can be used in tire manufacturing, especially for non-tread components such as sidewalls. It provides good processability and contributes to the overall performance and durability of tires.
  2. Footwear: Low CIS PBR is suitable for footwear applications, including shoe soles and components, where a balance of flexibility, durability, and processability is required.
  3. Industrial Rubber Products: Low CIS PBR produced with Cobalt Catalysts finds applications in various industrial rubber products such as conveyor belts, hoses, gaskets, and seals. Its moderate tensile strength and good processability make it suitable for these applications.
  4. Consumer Goods: Low CIS PBR can be used in a variety of consumer goods such as sporting goods, rubberized fabrics, and adhesives, where flexibility, resilience, and processability are important factors.
  5. Automotive Components: Low CIS PBR may also find applications in automotive components such as bushings, mounts, and seals, where moderate mechanical properties and resistance to environmental factors are required.

Overall, Low CIS PBR produced with Cobalt Catalysts offers a balance of properties suitable for a wide range of applications across industries where durability, flexibility, and processability are essential considerations.
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Nickel Catalyst

Low CIS Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) produced with Nickel Catalysts exhibits specific characteristics that make it suitable for various applications.

Characteristics of Low CIS PBR Produced with Nickel Catalysts:

  1. Lower Cis Content: Low CIS PBR typically contains a lower proportion of cis double bonds in its polymer chain compared to High Cis PBR. This results in a higher content of trans double bonds, which affects the rubber’s mechanical properties.
  2. High Trans Content: Nickel Catalysts promote the formation of trans-polybutadiene, leading to a higher proportion of trans double bonds in the polymer structure. This imparts specific characteristics to the rubber.
  3. Good Processability: Low Cis PBR produced with Nickel Catalysts often exhibits good processability, making it suitable for various manufacturing processes such as molding, extrusion, and calendaring.
  4. Moderate Tensile Strength: While Low CIS PBR may have slightly lower tensile strength compared to high cis PBR, it still offers sufficient mechanical strength for many applications.
  5. Moderate Resilience: The presence of trans double bonds in Low CIS PBR contributes to its resilience and elasticity, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and rebound properties.

Applications of Low CIS PBR Produced with Nickel Catalysts:

  1. Tires: Low CIS PBR, particularly when produced with Nickel Catalysts, can be used in tire manufacturing, especially for non-tread components such as sidewalls. It provides good processability and contributes to the overall performance and durability of tires.
  2. Footwear: Low CIS PBR is suitable for footwear applications, including shoe soles and components, where a balance of flexibility, durability, and processability is required.
  3. Industrial Rubber Products: Low CIS PBR produced with Nickel Catalysts finds applications in various industrial rubber products such as conveyor belts, hoses, gaskets, and seals. Its moderate tensile strength and good processability make it suitable for these applications.
  4. Consumer Goods: Low CIS PBR can be used in a variety of consumer goods such as sporting goods, rubberized fabrics, and adhesives, where flexibility, resilience, and processability are important factors.
  5. Automotive Components: Low CIS PBR may also find applications in automotive components such as bushings, mounts, and seals, where moderate mechanical properties and resistance to environmental factors are required.

Overall, Low CIS PBR produced with Nickel Catalysts offers a balance of properties suitable for a wide range of applications across industries where durability, flexibility, and processability are essential considerations.
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Neodymium Catalyst

Low CIS Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) produced with Neodymium Catalysts exhibits specific characteristics that make it suitable for various applications.

Characteristics of Low CIS PBR Produced with Neodymium Catalysts:

  1. Lower Cis Content: Low CIS PBR typically contains a lower proportion of cis double bonds in its polymer chain compared to High CIS PBR. This results in a higher content of trans double bonds, which affects the rubber’s mechanical properties.
  2. High Trans Content: Neodymium Catalysts promote the formation of trans-polybutadiene, leading to a higher proportion of trans double bonds in the polymer structure. This imparts specific characteristics to the rubber.
  3. Good Processability: Low CIS PBR produced with Neodymium Catalysts often exhibits good processability, making it suitable for various manufacturing processes such as molding, extrusion, and calendaring.
  4. Moderate Tensile Strength: While Low CIS PBR may have slightly lower tensile strength compared to High CIS PBR, it still offers sufficient mechanical strength for many applications.
  5. Moderate Resilience: The presence of trans double bonds in Low CIS PBR contributes to its resilience and elasticity, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and rebound properties.

Applications of Low CIS PBR Produced with Neodymium Catalysts:

  1. Tires: Low CIS PBR, particularly when produced with Neodymium Catalysts, can be used in tire manufacturing, especially for non-tread components such as sidewalls. It provides good processability and contributes to the overall performance and durability of tires.
  2. Footwear: Low CIS PBR is suitable for footwear applications, including shoe soles and components, where a balance of flexibility, durability, and processability is required.
  3. Industrial Rubber Products: Low CIS PBR produced with Neodymium Catalysts finds applications in various industrial rubber products such as conveyor belts, hoses, gaskets, and seals. Its moderate tensile strength and good processability make it suitable for these applications.
  4. Consumer Goods: Low CIS PBR can be used in a variety of consumer goods such as sporting goods, rubberized fabrics, and adhesives, where flexibility, resilience, and processability are important factors.
  5. Automotive Components: Low CIS PBR may also find applications in automotive components such as bushings, mounts, and seals, where moderate mechanical properties and resistance to environmental factors are required.

Overall, Low CIS PBR produced with Neodymium Catalysts offers a balance of properties suitable for a wide range of applications across industries where durability, flexibility, and processability are essential considerations.
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Ziegler Natta Catalyst

Ziegler-Natta Catalysts are primarily known for promoting the formation of polymers with a high proportion of cis double bonds, which impart specific mechanical properties such as high elasticity and resilience. However, for the sake of discussion, let's explore the theoretical characteristics and potential applications of Low CIS PBR produced with Ziegler-Natta Catalysts:

Characteristics of Low CIS PBR Produced with Ziegler-Natta Catalysts:

  1. Moderate Cis Content: While Ziegler-Natta Catalysts tend to favor the formation of CIS-polybutadiene, adjustments in reaction conditions or catalyst composition could potentially yield PBR with lower CIS content compared to typical Ziegler-Natta polymerization processes. This would result in a higher proportion of trans double bonds compared to High CIS PBR.
  2. Balanced Mechanical Properties: Low CIS PBR produced with Ziegler-Natta Catalysts may exhibit a balance of mechanical properties, including moderate tensile strength, resilience, and flexibility, suitable for various applications.
  3. Good Processability: PBR produced with Ziegler-Natta Catalysts often displays good processability, allowing for ease of molding, extrusion, and other processing methods commonly used in rubber manufacturing.

Potential Applications of Low CIS PBR Produced with Ziegler-Natta Catalysts:

  1. Automotive Components: Low CIS PBR with balanced mechanical properties may find applications in automotive components such as seals, gaskets, and vibration dampeners, where flexibility, durability, and resistance to environmental factors are required.
  2. Industrial Rubber Products: Low CIS PBR could be utilized in the production of industrial rubber products such as conveyor belts, hoses, and seals, where a combination of mechanical strength and resilience is necessary.
  3. Consumer Goods: Low CIS PBR may find applications in consumer goods such as footwear, sporting goods, and rubberized fabrics, where a balance of mechanical properties and processability is important.
  4. Adhesives and Sealants: Low CIS PBR could be incorporated into adhesive and sealant formulations, providing adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors.

While Ziegler-Natta Catalysts are not commonly associated with the production of Low CIS PBR, the theoretical characteristics and potential applications outlined above highlight the versatility of Synthetic Rubber materials and the potential for innovation in catalyst systems and polymerization processes. However, it’s important to note that actual industrial implementation would require extensive research, development, and optimization to ensure feasibility and practicality.
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