Polybutadiene

Polybutadiene (CAS 9003-17-2), commonly abbreviated as PBD and also known as butadiene rubber, is a synthetic elastomeric polymer produced by polymerization of 1,3-butadiene.

It functions primarily as a rubber matrix and impact modifier across tire manufacturing, plastics compounding, and industrial rubber goods production. In tire manufacturing, it is blended with styrene-butadiene rubber.

This process produces tread and sidewall compounds, where its contribution to rolling resistance reduction directly affects fuel efficiency ratings. High-impact polystyrene and ABS resins incorporate it as an impact modifier.

This improves toughness in injection-molded automotive and consumer plastic parts. Industrial rubber goods, including conveyor belts, hoses, and seals, rely on these compounds for their combination of abrasion resistance.

These materials also provide essential low-temperature flexibility. Liquid-grade PBD also functions as a reactive plasticizer and rheology modifier in various adhesive and sealant formulations for industrial use.

The material is supplied as solid bales or crumb rubber for elastomer compounding, and as liquid grades for reactive applications. Standard grades are differentiated by microstructure including high-cis and low-cis variants.

Vinyl content variants are also available, each targeting specific performance profiles in end-use compounds. Technical and polymer grades are standard; food-contact or pharmaceutical specifications are not typical.

Quality standards such as FCC, USP, Ph.Eur., BP, EP, or ACS are generally not applicable to this industrial polymer. It remains a cornerstone of the global synthetic rubber industry.