Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a versatile general-purpose synthetic rubber used by manufacturers that need a practical balance of processing behaviour, abrasion resistance, mechanical performance and cost.
Why manufacturers choose SBR
- Balanced performance: suitable for many everyday industrial rubber compounds.
- Good abrasion and crack resistance: useful in products exposed to repeated wear and flexing.
- Flexible formulation: compatible with common fillers, process oils, curing systems and other rubbers.
- Colour options: non-staining grades can be used for light-coloured or pigmented rubber goods.
- Established supply base: widely specified across footwear, flooring, hoses, belts and mechanical rubber products.
Available SBR grades
Linwell coordinates supply for small and mid-sized rubber manufacturers. Grade availability, producer origin, packaging and documentation are confirmed for each quotation so that the offered material can be checked against your compound and process.
| Grade | Typical positioning | Common applications | What to confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBR 1502 | Non-oil-extended, non-staining emulsion SBR for general-purpose compounds | Footwear, flooring, hoses, seals, mats and mechanical rubber goods | Producer TDS, batch COA, Mooney range, bound styrene, packaging and trial result |
| SBR 1502E | Related 1502 market designation; exact specification can vary by producer | General rubber products where the approved formulation matches the supplied grade | Grade equivalence, supplier-specific specification and compound trial approval |
Typical applications
Footwear and flooring
Shoe soles, heels, floor coverings and mats can benefit from SBR’s abrasion resistance, processability and compatibility with pigments and fillers.
Industrial rubber goods
Common uses include hoses, seals, gaskets, conveyor components, coated fabrics and other moulded or extruded products.
Tyres and retreading
E-SBR is widely used in tyre and retread compounds where abrasion, crack endurance and established processing behaviour are important.
How to select the right SBR
The correct choice depends on the full formulation and the finished product requirement. Buyers should review processing, colour, physical-property targets and quality-control limits together rather than selecting on grade name or price alone.
| Check | Why it matters | Recommended evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application and process | Compression moulding, extrusion and calendering place different demands on flow and handling. | Application description, equipment type and current formulation |
| Mooney viscosity | Influences mixing, extrusion behaviour and process consistency. | Supplier TDS, lot COA and incoming test where required |
| Bound styrene | Affects hardness, strength, glass-transition behaviour and compound response. | Supplier specification and agreed tolerance |
| Volatile matter and ash | Help indicate drying quality and residual inorganic content. | Batch COA with referenced test methods |
| Cure behaviour | Scorch safety and cure time depend on the complete recipe, not the polymer alone. | MDR or rheometer curve from the customer’s own compound |
| Colour and staining | Light-coloured articles normally require a suitable non-staining grade and antioxidant system. | Colour requirement, trial plaque and ageing check |
| Packaging and logistics | Damaged bale film, contamination or unsuitable storage can affect processing. | Packaging specification, bale marking and shipment inspection |
Documents and lot control
For qualification and repeat purchasing, keep the grade specification and the actual lot evidence in the same file. A TDS describes the product specification or typical values, while a COA records results for a specific batch.
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for the offered producer and grade
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and applicable transport information
- Bale, pallet or crate packaging details
- Country of origin and manufacturer information when required
- Agreed inspection items and claim-handling procedure
Storage and handling
Keep SBR bales in their original wrapping in a dry, ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight, precipitation, excessive heat and contamination. Follow the storage temperature and shelf-life statement issued by the actual producer. Use clear lot identification and first-in, first-out control to reduce avoidable differences between production batches.
Supply support from Linwell
Linwell supports overseas rubber manufacturers with grade matching, document collection, quotation coordination and shipment follow-up. When requesting an offer, provide the intended product, process, current grade, monthly quantity, delivery port and the technical limits that matter most to your compound.
Prepare a useful SBR inquiry
Send the grade, application, quantity, destination port and any available TDS or COA from your current material. We will review the request and confirm the proposed source, documentation and commercial terms before a trial order.