Everything about Butyl Rubber totally explained
Butyl rubber—also known as
polyisobutylene and
PIB (C
4H
8)
n is a
synthetic rubber, a
homopolymer of
2-methyl-1-propene. Polyisobutylene is produced by polymerization of about 98% of
isobutylene with about 2% of
isoprene. Structurally, polyisobutylene resembles
polypropylene, having two
methyl groups substituted on every other
carbon atom. It has excellent impermeability, and the long
polyisobutylene segments of its
polymer chains give it good flex properties. Polyisobutylene is a colorless to light yellow
viscoelastic material. It is generally odorless and tasteless, though it may exhibit a slight characteristic odor.
The formula is:
-(-CH
2-C(CH
3)
2-)
n-
It can be made from the
monomer isobutylene or CH
2=C(CH
3)
2 via
radical polymerization,
cationic addition polymerization &
anionic addition polymerization routes.
A synthetic rubber, or
elastomer, polyisobutylene is impermeable to air and used in many applications requiring an airtight rubber. Polyisobutylene is used in making
adhesives, agricultural chemicals,
fiber optic compounds,
caulks and sealants,
cling film, electrical fluids, lubricants (2 cycle engine oil), paper and pulp, personal care products,
pigment concentrates, for rubber and polymer modification, as a
gasoline/
diesel fuel additive, and even in
chewing gum. The first major application of butyl rubber was
tire inner tubes. This remains an important segment of its market even today.
Butyl rubber was first developed in 1937, by researchers
William J. Sparks and
Robert M. Thomas, at
Standard Oil's (which became
Exxon in 1972) Linden, N.J. laboratory. Texas Petrochemicals and Lubrizol Corporation are one of the largest manufacturers of PIB in North America.
In 1950s and 1960s,
halogenated butyl rubber (
halobutyl) was developed, in its chlorinated (
chlorobutyl) and brominated (
bromobutyl) variant, providing significantly higher curing rates and allowing covulcanization with other rubbers like
natural rubber and
styrene-butadiene rubber. Halobutyl is today the most important material for inner tubes. The butyl rubber is
vulcanized by elemental
sulfur.
Zinc oxide can be also used to vulcanize halobutyl.
Uses
Fuel and lubricant additive
Polyisobutylene (in the form of polyisobutylene succinimide) has interesting properties when used as an additive in
lubricating oils and motor fuels. Polyisobutylene added in small amounts to the lubricating oils used in
machining results in a significant reduction in the generation of oil mist and thus reduces the operator's inhalation of oil mist.
(External Link
) It is also used to clean up waterborne
oil spills as part of the commercial product Elastol. When added to
crude oil it increases the oil's
viscoelasticity when pulled; causing the oil to resist breakup when it's vacuumed from the surface of the water.
As a
fuel additive, polyisobutylene has
detergent properties. When added to
diesel fuel, it resists fouling of
fuel injectors, leading to reduced hydrocarbon and
particulate emissions.
(External Link) (External Link) They are blended with other detergents and additives to make a "detergent package" that's blended into
gasoline and diesel fuel to resist buildup of deposits and
engine knock.
(External Link)
Polyisobutylene is used in some formulations as a
thickening agent.
Basketballs
Polyisobutylene is impermeable to air and it's normally used on the inside of basketballs to stop them from deflating.
Roof Repair
Butyl rubber sealant is used for rubber roof repair and for maintenance of roof membranes (especially around the edges). It is important to have the roof membrane fixed, as a lot of fixtures (for example, air conditioner vents, plumbing and other pipes, etc.) can considerably loosen it.
Rubber roof is typically referred to a specific type of roofing materials that are made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). The crucial component for the maintenance of the quality of such roofs is to avoid using harsh abrasive materials and petroleum-based solvents for their maintenance.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Butyl Rubber'.
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