polybutadiene

chemistry

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July 2, 2026

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Polybutadiene, also known as butadiene rubber (BR), is a synthetic elastomer formed by linking multiple butadiene molecules into long polymer chains. Butadiene itself is a reactive gas derived from petroleum or natural gas.123

Polybutadiene is highly valued for its exceptional resistance to abrasion, low heat buildup, and ability to resist cracking, making it a primary component in tire treads for trucks and automobiles. It can be produced with different molecular structures, influencing its properties. High cis content polybutadiene offers superior resilience and abrasion resistance.124

This synthetic rubber is often blended with natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber to enhance performance characteristics like resilience and reduce rolling resistance. Beyond tires, polybutadiene finds applications in footwear, wire and cable insulation, and conveyor belts.14

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butadiene rubber
It consists of polybutadiene, an elastomer (elastic polymer) built up by chemically linking multiple molecules of butadiene to form giant molecules, or polymers. The polymer is noted for its high resistance to abrasion, low heat buildup, and resistance to cracking.
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It consists of polybutadiene, an elastomer (elastic polymer) built up by chemically linking multiple molecules of butadiene to form giant molecules, or polymers. The polymer is noted for its high resistance to abrasion, low heat buildup, and resistance to cracking.
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major industrial polymers
Polybutadiene (butadiene rubber, BR)
Butadiene (CH₂=CH―CH=CH₂) is produced by the dehydrogenation of butene or butane or by the cracking of petroleum distillates. It is polymerized to polybutadiene by solution methods, using anionic or Ziegler-Natta initiators. Like the other diene polymers, polybutadiene is isomeric—it can be…
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Butadiene (CH₂=CH―CH=CH₂) is produced by the dehydrogenation of butene or butane or by the cracking of petroleum distillates. It is polymerized to polybutadiene by solution methods, using anionic or Ziegler-Natta initiators. Like the other diene polymers, polybutadiene is isomeric—it can be…
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elastomer
Block copolymers
Polystyrene and polybutadiene are incompatible, so that the polystyrene end-groups associate together to form domains of glassy polystyrene in a sea of elastic polybutadiene. The polybutadiene centre portions thus form a connected elastomeric network held together by rigid domains of polystyrene end-blocks, which are relatively stable up…
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Polystyrene and polybutadiene are incompatible, so that the polystyrene end-groups associate together to form domains of glassy polystyrene in a sea of elastic polybutadiene. The polybutadiene centre portions thus form a connected elastomeric network held together by rigid domains of polystyrene end-blocks, which are relatively stable up…
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