BUTYL RUBBER

The primary attributes of butyl rubber are excellent impermeability/

air retention and good flex properties, resulting from low levels of
unsaturation between long polyisobutylene segments.
it also has good impermeability, weathering resistance, ozone resistance,
vibration dampening, and stability
Butyl rubber is difficult to handle during manufacturing because of its
tendency to trap air, blister, and creep.
Characteristics and flame resistance are poor.
It has poor resistance to aromatic hydrocarbons , aliphatic hydrocarbons
(e.g., kerosene, turpentine), coal, tar, and diester-based lubricants.
Cold weather properties for butyl rubber are fair.
synthetic materials tend to offer better resistance to environmental factors
such as oils, temperature, chemicals or ultraviolet light and suchlike
compared to natural rubber.
It is also resistant to deterioration; however, its comparative physical
properties are significantly less than those of natural rubber.
APPLICATIONS
Polyisobutylene added in small amounts to the lubricating oils used in
machining results in a significant reduction in the generation of oil mist
and thus reduces the operators inhalation of oil mist. When added
to crude oil it increases the oils viscoelasticity when pulled, causing the oil
to resist breakup when it is vacuumed from the surface of the water.
Polyisobutylene is often used by the explosives industry as a binding agent
in plastic explosives such as C-4. Polyisobutylene binder is used because it
makes the explosive more insensitive to premature detonation as well as
making it easier to handle and mold.
Butyl rubber is used for the bladders in sporting balls, e.g. Rugby balls,
footballs, basketballs, netballs to provide a tough, airtight inner
compartment.
Butyl rubber sealant is used for damp proofing, rubber roof repair and for
maintenance of roof membranes
Polyester fabric laminated to butyl rubber binder provides a single-sided
waterproof tape that can be used on metal, PVC, and cement joints. It is
used for repairing and waterproofing metal roofs.
Butyl Rubber v Natural Rubber

Butyl rubber is one of the most robust elastomers when subjected to
chemical warfare agents and decontamination materials. It is therefore
used to create seals in gas masks and other protective clothing.
Butyl and Bromobutyl rubber are commonly used for manufacturing
rubber stoppers used for sealing medicine vials and bottles.
Most modern chewing gum uses food-grade butyl rubber as the central
gum base, which contributes not only the gums elasticity but an
obstinate, sticky quality which has led some municipalities to propose
taxation to cover costs of its removal.
Butyl rubber and halogenated rubber are used for the inner liner that
holds the air in the tyre.

















Butyl Rubber v Natural Rubber

NATURAL RUBBER
Natural rubber consists of suitable polymers of the organic compound
isoprene with minor impurities of other organic compounds plus water.
The natural rubber is harvested mainly in the form of the latex from certain
trees.
Natural rubber has better processing and physical properties than
synthetic or silicone rubber.
Natural rubber deteriorates more rapidly than synthetic rubber.
Has high molecular weight with viscoelastic properties.
Due to the presence of a double bond in each repeat unit, natural rubber
is susceptible to vulcanisation and sensitive to ozone cracking.
Vulcanised rubber will have very high tensile strength and comparatively
low elongation.
Its hardness and abrasion resistance also will be high
water repellent and resistant to alkalies and weak acids.
less buildup of heat from flexing and greater resistance to tearing when
hot.
Tensile strength, elongation and abrasion resistance is excellent over a
wide hardness range
with the exception of certain formulations of polybutadiene, it has the
highest resilience of all rubbers.
With its good tear strength, fatigue resistance and excellent compression
set it is the ideal choice for dynamic applications at low and ambient
temperatures.
Weathering resistance is good for black compounds but only fair for white
and coloured mixes.
It has poor resistance to elevated temperatures and is susceptible to
attack by ozone unless specifically compounded with anti-ozonants.

APPLICATIONS
latex products such as surgeons' gloves, condoms, balloons and other
relatively high-value products.
The mid-range which comes from the technically-specified natural rubber
materials ends up largely in tires
conveyor belts, marine products, windshield wipers and miscellaneous
rubber goods.
anti-vibration mounts, drive couplings, haul-off pads and tyres.

Butyl Rubber v Natural Rubber

Supplementary Information

BASIC PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMERS

Figure 1. an indication of the properties achievable for a range of elastomers








Figure 2. Natural rubber(left) and Butyl Rubber (Right)