Styrene-Butadiene
The styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as SBR, the workhorse general-purpose synthetic rubber behind tyre tread, footwear and mechanical goods manufacture — exported from Indonesia in bale form with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Styrene-Butadiene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the copolymer's chemistry, its role as the general-purpose synthetic rubber workhorse, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber is a random copolymer of styrene and 1,3-butadiene, built by free-radical emulsion polymerisation (E-SBR) or anionic solution polymerisation (S-SBR). The butadiene-derived segments give the chain its rubbery, elastomeric flexibility, while the styrene-derived segments raise stiffness, abrasion resistance and processability — a balance tuned by adjusting the styrene-to-butadiene ratio.
At room temperature it is a light tan to amber solid, supplied in compressed bales and stabilised with antioxidants to prevent oxidative degradation during storage and shipping. It is not itself a reactive liquid monomer but a finished elastomer, and is compounded, vulcanised and processed using standard rubber-industry mixing, calendering and curing equipment.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
SBR's largest use by far is in tyre tread compounds, where its abrasion resistance and good wet-grip balance make it the dominant rubber in passenger-car tyre treads, typically blended with natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber. It is also widely used in footwear soling, conveyor belting, hose, mechanical rubber goods, and as SBR latex in paper coating, carpet backing and adhesive formulation.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers general-purpose emulsion-polymerised SBR (23.5% bound styrene, antioxidant-stabilised, 45–55 Mooney viscosity) in standard bale form suitable for tyre, footwear and mechanical-goods compounding, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Styrene-Butadiene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
SBR is manufactured by free-radical emulsion copolymerisation of styrene and 1,3-butadiene monomer in water, using a redox initiator system and surfactant to form a stable latex, which is then coagulated, washed and dried into bale form. A smaller share of SBR is made by anionic solution polymerisation (S-SBR), giving tighter control of molecular architecture for high-performance tyre tread compounds.
Why emulsion polymerisation dominates general-purpose SBR
Running the copolymerisation in an aqueous emulsion gives good control of molecular weight and consistent, scalable production directly to latex or coagulated bale form, which is why E-SBR has been the dominant commercial process for general-purpose grades since SBR was first commercialised.
Industries and processes that use it
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber is consumed across tyre, footwear and mechanical-goods manufacture, where its abrasion resistance and processability are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Tyre Tread Compounds
The dominant rubber in passenger-car tyre tread compounds, typically blended with natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber for the right grip/wear/rolling-resistance balance.
Footwear Soling
Compounded into shoe-sole rubber for its abrasion resistance, flexibility and cost-effective processing.
Mechanical Rubber Goods
Used in conveyor belting, hose, gaskets and other mechanical rubber goods valued for toughness and moderate cost.
SBR Latex Applications
Supplied as latex for paper coating, carpet backing, cement modification and adhesive formulation, distinct from the solid bale grade.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The random copolymer backbone and its residual unsaturation from the butadiene units govern almost all of this material's further processing chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways SBR is converted into a finished rubber product.
Free-Radical Emulsion Copolymerisation
Styrene and butadiene copolymerise in aqueous emulsion under redox initiation, building the random copolymer chain that becomes raw SBR.
Compounding
The raw rubber is mixed with carbon black or silica filler, oils, and curing-system chemicals on a mill or internal mixer to prepare the finished rubber compound.
Vulcanisation (Sulfur Curing)
The compounded rubber is heated with sulfur and accelerators, cross-linking the chains through the residual double bonds to give the finished, elastic vulcanised rubber.
Coagulation & Drying
The polymerised latex is coagulated with acid or salt, washed, and dried into the bale form supplied to rubber-goods manufacturers.
Styrene-Butadiene against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing SBR for tyre, footwear or mechanical-goods manufacture often need a related synthetic rubber or the upstream monomers. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Styrene-Butadiene (SBR) | 9003-55-8 | Styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber | The product on this page — the workhorse tyre and mechanical-goods rubber. |
| Polybutadiene Rubber | 9003-17-2 | Polybutadiene diene rubber | The related diene rubber often blended with SBR in tyre compounds — see its product page. |
| Styrene Monomer | 100-42-5 | Vinyl aromatic monomer | One of the two monomers copolymerised to make SBR — see its product page. |
| Acrylonitrile | 107-13-1 | Vinyl nitrile monomer | Copolymerised with butadiene in the related nitrile (NBR) rubber family — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Styrene-Butadiene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Not classified as flammable in bale form, but will burn if exposed to sustained open flame or high heat.
Residual monomer traces may be present at low ppm; handle with standard industrial hygiene.
Grinding or buffing operations can generate combustible rubber dust; control with standard dust-collection practice.
The finished bale rubber itself presents low acute hazard under normal handling and storage.
Standard industrial gloves and good general ventilation are sufficient for routine bale handling.
Store away from open flame and high-heat sources; large stockpiles should follow standard warehouse fire-protection practice.
Keep bales dry and out of direct, prolonged sunlight to minimise surface oxidation and tack.
Low Hazard — no GHS pictogram is required for the finished bale rubber under normal use.
The finished bale rubber presents a low acute hazard under normal handling, storage and processing, though it will burn if exposed to sustained open flame or high heat, and dust from grinding or buffing operations should be controlled with standard dust-collection practice. It must still be handled with standard industrial gloves, kept dry and away from direct, prolonged sunlight and open flame. Full handling, storage and compounding guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before processing begins.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry warehouse out of direct sunlight, stacked within the recommended bale-height limits, and away from open flame and prolonged ozone or UV exposure, both of which can degrade the rubber surface over time. Polythene-wrapped bales protect against dust and moisture pickup during storage and transport. If a batch is held past its recommended shelf life, re-check Mooney viscosity and surface tack before use in compounding.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Styrene-Butadiene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Styrene-Butadiene shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Styrene-Butadiene Rubber used for?+
02What is the CAS number of SBR?+
03How is SBR made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is SBR often blended with Polybutadiene Rubber in tyres?+
06Is Styrene-Butadiene Rubber hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Polybutadiene Rubber and Styrene Monomer as well?+
Need Styrene-Butadiene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.