Polybutadiene rubber (BR): properties and applications

Polybutadiene rubber (BR) is one of the most important and widely used general-purpose synthetic rubbers. It is a product of 1,3-butadiene polymerisation with a high content of cis-1,4 units and belongs to the group of stereoregular rubbers. Thanks to the unique combination of high abrasion resistance, elasticity, low-temperature flexibility and low heat build-up under dynamic loads, BR occupies key positions in the tyre industry and the production of rubber technical products.

Chemical Structure and History

Polybutadiene rubber is a polymer of 1,3-butadiene (CH₂=CH–CH=CH₂). Depending on the catalytic system and polymerisation conditions, macromolecules can contain different types of units: cis-1,4, trans-1,4 and 1,2 units (vinyl). Rubbers with a high content of cis-1,4 units (at least 90–97%) are of the greatest industrial importance.

The history of polybutadiene rubber began in Russia: in 1910, Russian chemist Sergey Lebedev first polymerised butadiene using alkali metals as catalysts. However, a commercially significant fully cis-1,4 polymer was only obtained in 1961 by Phillips Petroleum using Ziegler-Natta catalysts.

Production Methods

Polybutadiene rubbers are produced by solution polymerisation of butadiene in aliphatic hydrocarbons. Depending on the catalytic system used, several main types of BR are distinguished:

Titanium catalysts (BR-Ti, BR-1203Ti). Rubbers based on titanium compounds contain 87–93% cis-1,4 units. These are classic grades produced according to GOST 14924-75.

Neodymium catalysts (BR-Nd, BR-1243Nd). Rubbers based on rare earth metals (neodymium) are characterised by a high content of cis-1,4 units — at least 96–97%. They possess excellent mechanical properties, increased elasticity, strength and wear resistance.

Nickel catalysts. Rubbers with a cis-1,4 content of about 95%, with good processability.

Physical, Mechanical and Chemical Properties

BR possesses a unique combination of properties that distinguish it from other synthetic rubbers:

High Abrasion Resistance. This is the key property of polybutadiene rubber. Thanks to its low coefficient of friction and high resistance to abrasive wear, BR surpasses many other rubbers in abrasion resistance, including natural and isoprene rubber. BR vulcanisates have higher abrasion resistance compared to SKI-3 vulcanisates.

Low Heat Build-up. BR is characterised by low heat accumulation under dynamic loads and low hysteresis losses, which is especially important for tyre treads.

High Elasticity and Resilience. BR possesses excellent elastic properties and high rebound resilience. Thanks to the high degree of cis-1,4-polybutadiene, the rubber demonstrates excellent fatigue endurance.

Low-temperature Flexibility. BR retains elasticity at low temperatures and surpasses SKI-3 rubber in frost resistance.

Density. The density of the rubber is about 900–920 kg/m³.

Vulcanisation Properties. The rubber is easily vulcanised, allowing its hardness and elasticity to be adjusted according to the requirements of the final product. The material is effectively processed into rubber compounds with various fillers.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Key Advantages:

• Highest abrasion and wear resistance

• Low heat build-up under dynamic loads

• Excellent low-temperature flexibility

• High elasticity and rebound resilience

• Good processability

Main Disadvantages:

• Low green strength — requires reinforcement with fillers (carbon black)

• Tendency to cold flow, complicating the processing of pure rubber

• Inferior to SKI-3 in tear resistance and heat resistance

• Low wet skid resistance

Due to processing difficulties associated with cold flow, BR is usually used in blends of two or more polymers. A significant portion of polybutadiene rubber is blended with natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber to improve resilience and reduce rolling resistance.

Applications

Polybutadiene rubber finds wide application in various industries:

Tyre Industry. Over half of all BR is used in tyre production. BR is used for truck and passenger car tyre treads, tyre carcasses and sidewalls. Neodymium grades are widely used in premium tyre production, especially for high-speed and heavy-duty vehicles.

Rubber Technical Products. Production of conveyor belts, drive belts, hoses, asbestos-rubber products.

Footwear Industry. Production of soles and other shoe components.

Cable Industry. Wire and cable insulation.

High-impact Polystyrene and ABS Plastics. Polybutadiene is used as a modifier to impart impact resistance.

Sports Goods. Thanks to its high rebound resilience, BR is used in golf ball production.

Industrial seals, gaskets, shock absorbers and protective coatings.

Production and Market

In Russia, polybutadiene rubber is produced at several enterprises. The largest producers are:

• JSC Voronezhsynthezkauchuk (part of Sibur) — produces BR using two types of catalytic systems (neodymium and titanium) with a capacity of about 140,000 tonnes per year.

• PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim (part of Sibur) — a major producer where the neodymium versatate synthesis unit was modernised in 2025–2026. Capacity expansion by 28%, to 485 tonnes per year, enables the production of up to 250,000 tonnes of polybutadiene rubber per year.

• JSC Yefremov Synthetic Rubber Plant — one of the first synthetic rubber plants in Russia, founded in 1933. Produces high-molecular-weight cis-polybutadiene grades.

The global synthetic rubber market was valued at USD 41 billion in 2025, with a projected growth to USD 66 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 5.5%. In recent years, demand for BR in Russia has remained at a low level, leading to capacity underutilisation. However, the development of premium tyre production and the introduction of new catalytic systems create prerequisites for growth.

Conclusion

Polybutadiene rubber (BR) is one of the key general-purpose synthetic rubbers, thanks to its unique combination of high abrasion resistance, elasticity, low-temperature flexibility and low heat build-up. These properties make it an indispensable material for the tyre industry, rubber technical products, footwear and cable products. The development of neodymium catalytic systems and the emergence of new high-tech grades open new prospects for the application of this material in premium tyre production and high-load technical products.