What Is Butyl Rubber (IIR)?
Butyl rubber, abbreviated as IIR, is the short name for Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber. It is a type of synthetic rubber produced from isobutylene and a small amount of isoprene. Butyl rubber (IIR, CAS 9010-85-9) has excellent chemical stability and thermal stability, with its most outstanding properties being airtightness and water resistance.
The air permeability of butyl rubber material is only 1/7 of natural rubber and 1/5 of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Its steam permeability is only 1/200 of natural rubber and 1/140 of SBR rubber.
Because of these excellent barrier properties, butyl rubber applications are mainly in the manufacture of various inner tubes, steam hoses, water bladders, dam liners, gaskets, and many other industrial rubber products.
butyl rubber manufacturing process
The production process of butyl rubber (IIR, Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber) mainly includes raw material preparation, catalyst preparation, polymerization reaction, coagulation, and post-treatment processes. Among these steps, the polymerization reaction is the key stage in butyl rubber manufacturing.
In industrial production, halogenated hydrocarbons are used as solvents, and copolymerization is carried out under catalyst action using n-butane or isobutane with ethylene to form polybutylene, which is then further processed to obtain butyl rubber material.
butyl rubber advantages and disadvantages
butyl rubber advantages
Good Heat Resistance
Butyl rubber (IIR) has better heat resistance than many general rubber materials and can operate in high-temperature environments. Its working temperature range is approximately -55°C to 150°C, allowing it to adapt to a variety of demanding industrial conditions.
Excellent Cold Resistance
Butyl rubber also offers outstanding low-temperature performance. It can be used in extremely cold environments within a temperature range of -55°C to 150°C, while maintaining stable physical properties.
Strong Oil Resistance
Butyl rubber has good resistance to oil attack and can withstand contact with many types of oils. It is not easily aged during long-term use, making it suitable for butyl rubber sealing applications and industrial rubber components.
High Tensile Strength
Butyl rubber has relatively high tensile strength, allowing it to maintain performance under high-stress working conditions. It also shows good abrasion resistance in many butyl rubber industrial applications.
Butyl rubber disadvantages
Slow Vulcanization Speed
Compared with highly unsaturated rubbers such as natural rubber, butyl rubber (IIR) has a vulcanization speed that is about three times slower. It usually requires higher curing temperatures or longer vulcanization time during processing.
Poor Self-Adhesion
Butyl rubber has relatively poor self-adhesion. Tackifiers or adhesive layers are often required to improve bonding with other rubber materials, while the bonding strength remains relatively low.
Poor Compatibility with Other Rubbers
Butyl rubber has limited compatibility with other rubber types. It is generally only blended with materials such as EPDM rubber and polyethylene in certain compound formulations.
Weak Interaction with Reinforcing Fillers
Compared with unsaturated rubbers, butyl rubber has weaker interaction with reinforcing fillers. Heat treatment or additives are usually required to improve reinforcement performance and enhance tensile strength, modulus, elasticity, abrasion resistance, and electrical insulation properties.
Butyl Rubber Supplier (IIR CAS 9010-85-9)-Tianjin Gnee Biotech Co. Ltd.
We supply high-quality Butyl Rubber (IIR, CAS 9010-85-9) for tire manufacturing, sealing systems, construction waterproofing, wire and cable applications, and industrial rubber products.
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