TOP

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

GRADE NAME Polymerization Process Bound Styrene
%wt
Block Styrene
%wt
Mooney Viscosity
ML(1+4)
@100°C
Solution Viscosity cPs
(5% in styrene
@25°C)
Main Applications TDS
EUROPRENE K
SOL B 1205
BATCH 25 18 53 10 Calendered and extruded articles, cables, flooring, shoe soles, medium glossy HIPS
AGON K
SOL C283
CONTINUOUS 11 8 32 Impact improver of ABS and Polystyrene giving a gloss surface

Random Dry S-SBR

GRADE NAME Polymerization Process Bound Styrene
%wt
Vinyl Content(*)
%wt
Mooney Viscosity
ML(1+4)
@100°C
Extension Oil Content
(TDAE, phr)
Main Applications TDS
EUROPRENE K
SOL R 72613
BATCH 21 65 65 - Silica-based compounds for high performance tyre treads; high quality technical rubber goods.

(*) Referred to butadiene portion

Random Oil Extended S-SBR

GRADE NAME Polymerization Process Bound Styrene
%wt
Vinyl Content(*)
%wt
Mooney Viscosity
ML(1+4)
@100°C
Extension Oil Content
(TDAE, phr)
Main Applications TDS
EUROPRENE K
SOL R 72614
BATCH 25 64 55 37.5 Silica-based compound for low rolling resistance and winter treads
EUROPRENE K
SOL R 74618T
BATCH 35 58 61 37.5 Tyre tread compounds for HP / UHP tyre
AGON K
SOL R 73521T
BATCH 35 58 83 25 Tyre tread compounds for HP / UHP tyre
EUROPRENE K
SOL R C 2564T
CONTINUOUS 25 64 50 37.5 Low rolling resistance tyre treads with improved wet grip; technical rubber goods.
EUROPRENE K
SOL R C 2565T
CONTINUOUS 25 64 65 37.5 Silica-based compounds for low rolling resistance tyre treads with improved wet grip
EUROPRENE K
SOL R C 3458T
CONTINUOUS 34 56 71
(@120°C)
37.5 Tread compounds for HP/UHP tyres. Extremely suitable for high filler loading
EUROPRENE K
SOL R C 3555T
CONTINUOUS 35 51 75 37.5 Tread compounds for HP/UHP tyres. Extremely suitable for high filler loading
EUROPRENE K
SOL R C 3737T
CONTINUOUS 37 38 75 37.5 Tyre tread compounds for HP/UHP tyres. It shows improved grip and handling performances.

(*) Referred to butadiene portion

Functionalized Random S-SBR

GRADE NAME Polymerization Process Bound Styrene
%wt
Vinyl Content(*)
%wt
Mooney Viscosity
ML(1+4)
@100°C
Extension Oil Content
(TDAE, phr)
Main Applications TDS
EUROPRENE K
SOL R 72616
BATCH 21 63 68 - Silica-based compounds for low rolling resistance summer, all seasons and sinter tyre treads.

(*) Referred to butadiene portion