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How is styrene-butadiene rubber used in automobile tires?

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major industrial polymers Figure 1: The linear form of polyethylene, known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a primary synthetic material used in the production of automobile and truck tires, where it serves as an abrasion-resistant alternative to natural rubber.1

In tire manufacturing, SBR is specifically utilized for its hardness and excellent resistance to abrasion, making it a key component of tire treads. A typical tread compound may consist of approximately 65 parts SBR blended with 35 parts butadiene rubber and reinforced with up to 65 parts carbon black. While SBR provides these critical durability benefits, it lacks sufficient strength on its own and requires reinforcement with fillers like carbon black to be effective.12

The use of SBR in tires is often determined by economic factors and the specific performance requirements of the vehicle. Because SBR has lower heat resistance compared to natural rubber, its proportion in a tire's composition is typically reduced for heavy-duty applications, such as tires for aircraft or buses, which may eventually utilize 100 percent natural rubber to withstand more severe service conditions.1