Styrene-Butadiene Rubber
The dominant synthetic rubber by volume — tyre tread compounds, conveyor belting, footwear soles and general rubber goods.
Chelora Chemicals supplies emulsion (E-SBR) and solution (S-SBR) grades of styrene-butadiene rubber in bale form to tyre and rubber-goods producers worldwide.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 9003-55-8
- Polymer type
- Random copolymer (styrene + 1,3-butadiene)
- Typical styrene content
- ~23.5% (E-SBR); varies by grade
- Density
- 0.94 g/cm³
- Glass transition (Tg)
- ~-55 °C to -50 °C (grade dependent)
- Form supplied
- Baled solid rubber
- UN Number
- Not regulated
- HS Code
- 4002 19
Note: SBR is supplied in a range of styrene-to-butadiene ratios and Mooney viscosities; confirm your target grade with our technical desk.
What SBR is used for
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is an elastomeric copolymer of styrene and 1,3-butadiene, the highest-volume synthetic rubber produced worldwide. It is made by two principal routes: emulsion polymerisation (E-SBR), the traditional and still-dominant commodity process, and solution polymerisation (S-SBR), which allows tighter control of polymer microstructure for higher-performance tyre compounds.
SBR's single largest use is as the tread and sidewall rubber in tyres, where it is valued for abrasion resistance, and S-SBR grades in particular are central to low-rolling-resistance "green tyre" formulations. Beyond tyres, SBR is used in conveyor belting, footwear soles, rubber flooring, adhesives (via SBR latex), and general mechanical rubber goods.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Styrene Monomer + 1,3-Butadiene the two monomers copolymerised into SBR. See Styrene Monomer and 1,3-Butadiene.
- Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (this product) the elastomer for tyre and general rubber-goods applications.
- Polybutadiene Rubber often blended with SBR in tyre compounds. See that page.
Handling character
SBR bale rubber is not classified as hazardous under normal handling, though it is a combustible solid and should be stored away from ignition sources. Full handling detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Light tan to dark baled solid rubber |
| Styrene content | ~23.5% (standard); custom ratios available |
| Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4, 100°C) | Grade dependent, confirmed at order |
| Bale weight | ~33-35 kg (typical) |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Solid, baled elastomer |
| Glass transition (Tg) | -55 to -50 °C (grade dependent) |
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³ |
| Grades | Emulsion (E-SBR) and solution (S-SBR) |
| Abrasion resistance | Good — a key reason for tyre-tread use |
| Flammability | Combustible solid |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 9003-55-8 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put SBR to work
The workhorse rubber behind tyre tread, conveyor belting and footwear.
Tyre tread & sidewall
The largest single use of SBR, valued for abrasion resistance; S-SBR grades support low-rolling-resistance tyre formulations.
- Tyre-grade specification
- Bale & container-load supply
- Technical desk review on request
Conveyor belting
Compounded into conveyor belting for mining, bulk-handling and industrial applications.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Footwear soles
Compounded into shoe soles for durability and abrasion resistance.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Rubber flooring & mats
Compounded into rubber flooring, matting and underlayment products.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
SBR latex & adhesives
Supplied as latex for carpet backing, paper coating and adhesive formulations.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Tyre and rubber-goods plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Styrene-Butadiene Rubber
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Styrene ratio and Mooney viscosity consistency are critical to tyre-compound performance — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Styrene content and Mooney viscosity confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream tyre and rubber-goods compounding.
- E-SBR and S-SBR grades both sourced. Matched precisely to your tyre or general rubber-goods specification.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Container-load and bulk bale logistics managed. Palletised bale shipments arranged to your receiving dock requirements.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Palletised bales or container-load shipment — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and arrange it.
~33-35 kg bales
Film-wrapped bales, palletised, for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000-1,200 kg pallets
Shrink-wrapped pallets of bales sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Full container loads
Full container-load bale shipment for continuous-consumption tyre and rubber-goods plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Non-hazardous solid rubber — handle sensibly
Baled SBR is not classified as hazardous under GHS for normal handling, but it is combustible and processing fumes should be managed with adequate ventilation. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
Not classifiedBaled rubber is not classified as hazardous under GHS.Processing noteProcessing fumes (compounding, curing) should be managed with adequate ventilation per equipment guidance.
Store away from ignition sources. Baled rubber is combustible; avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and ozone, which can degrade physical properties over time. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store baled rubber in a cool, dry, covered area away from direct sunlight, ozone sources and ignition sources to preserve physical properties.
Handling
Standard PPE is sufficient for normal bale handling. Ensure adequate ventilation during compounding and curing operations where fumes may be generated.
Transport
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport in bale form. We confirm any destination-specific import documentation your shipment requires.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Styrene content, Mooney viscosity and grade (E-SBR/S-SBR) confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How SBR is made
SBR is produced industrially by free-radical emulsion polymerisation (E-SBR) of styrene and 1,3-butadiene in an aqueous soap system, the traditional commodity process, or by anionic solution polymerisation (S-SBR) in a hydrocarbon solvent using organolithium initiators, which allows tighter control over styrene distribution and vinyl content for premium tyre applications. The polymer is coagulated, dried and baled for shipment.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Polymer family | Styrenic elastomer (random copolymer) |
|---|---|
| Production route | Emulsion (E-SBR) or anionic solution (S-SBR) polymerisation |
| Key properties | Abrasion resistance, good wet grip (tyre tread), general elastomeric mechanical properties |
| Related compounds | Styrene Monomer, 1,3-Butadiene (monomers), Polybutadiene Rubber (related elastomer) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, answered
What is Styrene-Butadiene Rubber used for?
How is SBR made?
Is SBR hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on Styrene-Butadiene Rubber today
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