PRODUCTS
SSBR
Solution – Styrene Butadiene Rubber (S-SBR)
In recent years, the increased interest in environmental sustainability and safe mobility drove a technological challenge
to progressively and remarkably improve tyres performance in terms of minimal energy dissipation, enhanced road grip
and highest wear resistance. Adoption of SSBR in appropriately developed tyre formulations is the key to success. Based
on Versalis technology, LVE is one of the few manufacturers producing SSBR in both batch and continuous process:
Europrene® K Sol R grades are successfully used in compounds for ‘green’ tyres, while Sol B grades are broadly used in
adhesives, bitumen and ABS modification.
Solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber is obtained by the anionic polymerization of styrene and butadiene
initiated by lithium alkyls in hydrocarbon solvent, the distribution of styrene units in the polymer chain results in either
Block or Random Co-Polymers.
Block and Random S-SBRs impart very different properties to the polymer and are used in different applications. Block
S-SBRs have a lower styrene content than Random S-SBRs and are more suitable for calendaring and extrusion processes.
They are also used for bitumen modification and for the production of adhesive and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) and
ABS resins. Random S-SBRs provide a versatile support for tailor-made product operating through the styrene content
and microstructure of butadiene units allowing good performance in terms of processability, rolling resistance, grip and
abrasion and becoming the first preference in the tyre sector.
Partial Block S-SBR
Random Dry S-SBR
(*) Referred to butadiene portion
Random Oil Extended S-SBR
(*) Referred to butadiene portion
Functionalized Random S-SBR
(*) Referred to butadiene portion