Rubber & Elastomers•General-Purpose Diene Rubbers•

VERIFIED(Source-Verified)

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

Primary Designation:ASTM SBR

Aliases:

Buna-SGRSStyrene Butadiene Copolymer

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Data Completeness:0 composition elements and 1 condition-specific property values cataloged.

Omitted fields represent unverified properties. "Missing is better than invented."

Key Engineering Properties

Representative source rows, qualified by their reported conditions. Inspect the tables below for all values, limits, and source notes.

Service Temp Range

-40°C to 100°CContinuous Limit

Continuous service typically -40°C to +1...

Engineering Summary

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is a synthetic random copolymer typically containing 23.5% bound styrene and 76.5% butadiene, synthesized via emulsion (E-SBR) or solution (S-SBR) polymerization. As the highest-volume synthetic elastomer globally, SBR delivers superior dry sliding abrasion resistance, excellent crack-initiation endurance, and cost efficiency. Unlike natural rubber, SBR does not undergo strain crystallization and requires reinforcing fillers (carbon black or silica with organosilane coupling agents) to develop structural tensile strength. It exhibits poor petroleum oil and hydrocarbon solvent resistance and moderate ozone vulnerability.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Documented Applications

›Automotive and commercial passenger car tire tread compounds and retreads
›Industrial conveyor belt covers handling non-oily ores, crushed stone, and bulk dry minerals
›Heavy-duty molded shoe outsoles, workboot heels, and athletic footwear soles
›Automotive brake system pedal pads, floor mats, and non-sealing dust grommets
›Co-extruded and molded industrial roll coverings and abrasive blasting cabinet curtains

Recognized Aliases

Source-backed commercial trade name and short designations cataloged in canonical data.

Buna-SGRSStyrene Butadiene Copolymer

Elastomer Technical Profile • Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

ASTM D1418: SBRISO 1629: SBRASTM D2000: Type AA / BA

Polymer backbone: Styrene-butadiene random copolymer. Thermoset and cast elastomer mechanical, thermal, and chemical behavior depends strongly on compounding ingredients, crosslink density, and curing system.

Key Engineering Advantages

•Superior sliding and roadway abrasion resistance compared to unreinforced natural rubber
•Economical, cost-stable synthetic polymer with high processing predictability
•Good resistance to glycol-based hydraulic brake fluids, water, and low molecular weight alcohols
•Better heat-aging resistance than natural rubber (hardens gradually without catastrophic reversion)

Engineering Limitations & Risks

•Poor resistance to petroleum oils, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and aromatic solvents
•Lacks strain-induced crystallization; requires heavy carbon black reinforcement to achieve strength
•Moderate weathering and ozone resistance; cracks under outdoor stress without antiozonants
•Higher heat buildup (hysteresis) under severe dynamic cyclic flexure than natural rubber

Thermal Operating Limits & Service Profile

Min Continuous-40°C

Max Continuous100°C

Max Intermittent / PeakNot specified

Note: Continuous service typically -40°C to +100°C (-40°F to +212°F) per Parker ORD 5700 Section II (Figure 2-3). Continuous service above 100°C accelerates crosslink hardening and loss of elongation. ASTM D2000 heat-aging test temperatures (70h at 70°C or 100°C) represent laboratory classification criteria rather than continuous service ratings.

Chemical & Environmental Media Compatibility (Engineering Selection Guide)

Parker ORD 5700 Selection Ratings

Ratings represent manufacturer engineering fluid selection guidance (Parker ORD 5700 / producer design manuals). They do not substitute for batch-specific ASTM D471 / ISO 1817 laboratory immersion testing under service temperature, pressure, and dynamic stress.

Water & Aqueous SolutionsGood resistance to ambient water, salt solutions, and dilute alkalis

EXCELLENT

Glycol Brake Fluids (DOT 3 / DOT 4)Resistant to polyalkylene glycol ethers and borate esters

GOOD

Atmospheric Ozone & UVRequires chemical antiozonant waxes to prevent surface micro-cracking

FAIR

Petroleum Oils & GreasesSevere swelling, physical softening, and loss of tensile properties

NOT RECOMMENDED

Gasoline & Diesel FuelsRapid swelling and solvent extraction

NOT RECOMMENDED

Strong Oxidizing AcidsAttacked by nitric, concentrated sulfuric, and chromic acids

POOR

Compounding & Physical Property Context

Compounding Dependency: Performance is strongly governed by bound styrene content (typically 23.5%; higher styrene increases hardness, tensile, and wear but degrades low-temperature flexibility) and carbon black grade (N110/N220 for maximum wear vs N660 for carcass flexibility).

Gas & Fluid Permeability: Moderate gas permeability; comparable to natural rubber, higher than butyl rubber.

Abrasion Endurance: Outstanding dry surface sliding abrasion resistance; primary material worldwide for passenger car tire treads.

Tear Resistance: Moderate ASTM D624 Die C tear strength; crack initiation resistance is good, but cut growth rate under cyclic load is higher than NR. (Not comparable to trouser tear Die T).

Compression Set (ASTM D395): Moderate compression set; unsuited for critical dynamic fluid seals compared to NBR or FKM.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Specifications & Designations

Standard Designations & Applicable Specifications — Semantically classified designations distinguishing primary standard identifiers, commercial trade names, and applicable specification references.

Direct Standard DesignationsDIRECT DESIGNATION

3 Primary Identifiers

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System	Identifier	Standard System Name	Classification Notes & Provenance
ASTMPRIMARY	SBR	ASTM D1418 Nomenclature	—Ref: Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices—Nomenclature (ASTM D1418-22) / Rubber and latices—Nomenclature (ISO 1629:2013)
ISO	SBR	ISO 1629 Nomenclature	—Ref: Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices—Nomenclature (ASTM D1418-22) / Rubber and latices—Nomenclature (ISO 1629:2013)
ASTM-D2000	Type AA / BA	ASTM D2000 Classification System	Classified under ASTM D2000 as Type AA (70°C 70h test) or Type BA (100°C 70h test); accelerated test temperatures serve classification and do not constitute continuous service ratings.Ref: Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications (ASTM D2000-21 / SAE J200:2021)

Recognized Commercial Aliases & Trade NamesCOMMON ALIAS

3 Listed

Scroll horizontally for full alias classifications

Recognized Name / Alias	Classification	Technical Usage & Context
Buna-S	Commercial Alias	Colloquial or commercial industry synonym
GRS	Historical Alias	Colloquial or commercial industry synonym
Styrene Butadiene Copolymer	Commercial Alias	Colloquial or commercial industry synonym

Applicable Specifications & Product Form ReferencesSPECIFICATION REFERENCE

3 Applicable Standards

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Standards Body	Specification Code	Specification Title / Scope	Relationship Type
ASTM International	ASTM D1418	Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices—NomenclatureSTANDARD · Edition: ASTM D1418-22	Specification Reference
ISO	ISO 1629	Rubber and latices — NomenclatureSTANDARD · Edition: ISO 1629:2013	Specification Reference
ASTM International	ASTM D2000	Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive ApplicationsSTANDARD · Edition: ASTM D2000-21	Specification Reference

Engineering Notice: Applicable specifications establish manufacturing requirements, dimensional tolerances, and test criteria for specific product forms (e.g. bus bar, wire, plate, pipe). They represent applicable technical standards, not alternative or equivalent alloy grades.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Mechanical Properties

Contextual Mechanical Properties & Tempers: Engineering strength, ductility, and hardness values grouped by product form, temper, and section thickness. Mechanical properties are contextual and not isotropic averages.

Showing 1 of 1 conditions

Scroll horizontally for all conditions & tempers

Product Form	Temper / Condition	Section Size	Tensile (UTS)	Yield Strength	Elongation	Shear Strength	Fatigue Strength	Hardness (Scales Preserved)	Status
Standard Product Form	Standard Carbon Black Reinforced Vulcanizate (SBR 1500/1712 Series) · 70 °C Source values and qualifiers Compression Set (22h at 70°C): 20–40 % (RANGE)Measured under 25% constant mechanical deflection.ASTM D395 Method B / ISO 815-1Parker Hannifin Corporation, Engineered Materials Group — Parker Hannifin Corp. Catalog ORD 5700 (2018/2023), Section II (Basic O-Ring Elastomers: Table 2-2 & Figure 2-3), Section VII (Compatibility Tables) / ASTM D395-18 Method B	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VERIFIED

Hardness Integrity Notice: Rockwell B (HRB), Rockwell F (HRF), and Superficial 30T (HR30T) scales are reported on their measured scales without cross-scale mathematical conversion.

Source: See fact-level citations

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Processing & Fabrication

Machining, joining, forming, and thermal processing ratings cataloged from the cited authoritative technical reference.

Source: Maurice Morton (Ed.), Springer Science+Business Media

Machinability

Cryogenically frozen below -60°C for grinding, turning, and die cutting; readily trimmed using high-speed rotary steel knives and waterjet cutting.

Heat Treatment & Working Ranges

Vulcanized with sulfur-accelerator systems (sulfenamides, thiazoles, thiurams) at 150°C to 175°C. SBR crosslinks further during aging (oxidative hardening) rather than softening.

Forming & Cold Working

Compounded in internal mixers with extensive carbon black or silica dispersion. Processable via multi-pass roll milling, calendar sheet extrusion, and transfer/injection molding.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Equivalent & Comparable Grades

Comparable Grades & Cross-References: Carefully classified cross-reference relationships for Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR). Comparable does not mean equivalent.

Scroll horizontally for relationship classifications & comparisons

Related Material	Family	Relationship Classification	Metallurgical Notes & Differences	Status	Action
Natural Rubber (NR)	rubber-and-elastomers	Commonly Compared	SBR provides superior dry roadway sliding wear and lower manufacturing cost; NR offers superior tear strength, dynamic resilience, and low-temperature flexibility.Materials serve different design priorities (e.g. higher strength vs superior corrosion resistance or cost).	VERIFIED	Side-by-Side Compare →
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)	rubber-and-elastomers	Nearest Alternative	SBR is unsuited for oil-wetted applications; NBR replaces SBR whenever direct exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons, lubricating oils, or diesel fuel occurs.Design parameters (weldability, hardenability, fatigue limit) must be re-evaluated for the specific application.	VERIFIED	Side-by-Side Compare →

Related Engineering & Metallurgy Guides

Contextual technical guides explaining degradation mechanisms, testing methodologies, and selection criteria relevant to Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR).

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Types of Rubber: Elastomer Classification, Chemical Resistance & Selection Guide

Selecting the correct rubber is not a matter of choosing a generic flexible polymer—it requires matching molecular backbone chemistry to service temperature, chemical media polarity, dynamic fatigue, and compression set. This engineering guide classifies the 11 primary elastomer families, detailing their ASTM D1418 / ISO 1629 designations, mechanical performance envelopes, and rigorous selection algorithms.

Author: MatGrades Materials Engineering GroupRead Guide →

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What is EPDM Rubber? Properties, Chemistry, Roofing vs Engineering Specifications

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is the global benchmark elastomer for outdoor weathering, hot water, and automotive cooling systems. Its exceptional resistance to atmospheric ozone and steam degradation stems from an entirely saturated polyalkylene backbone with crosslinkable double bonds located exclusively on pendant side groups. This guide breaks down the chemical physics, curing kinetics, and standards governing EPDM specification.

Author: MatGrades Materials Engineering GroupRead Guide →

Material Selection18 min read

Natural Rubber vs Synthetic Rubber: Resilience, Fatigue, Chemistry & Industrial Trade-offs

Despite over a century of synthetic polymer synthesis, natural rubber remains indispensable in modern heavy engineering. Its unique ability to undergo instantaneous strain-induced crystallization grants it dynamic tear strength and fatigue endurance that synthetic random copolymers cannot replicate. However, when service conditions introduce petroleum fuels, atmospheric ozone, or temperatures exceeding 80°C, synthetic elastomers become mandatory. This guide examines the macromolecular physics and industrial trade-offs governing selection.

Author: MatGrades Materials Engineering GroupRead Guide →

Sources

Sources & Provenance Trail: Authoritative reference publications, standards specifications, and data registers cited across this material record.

ASTM International, ISO & Elastomer Engineering Technical CommitteesParker O-Ring Handbook (Catalog ORD 5700) & Elastomer Engineering Selection Guide

Development BenchmarkSTANDARDS ORG

Global engineering seal benchmark establishing continuous operating temperature envelopes (Figure 2-3), elastomer property comparisons (Table 2-2), ASTM D395 Method B compression set benchmarks, and manufacturer engineering fluid compatibility selection ratings (distinguished from raw laboratory immersion coupons).

Issuing Body: Parker Hannifin Corporation, Engineered Materials GroupRevision: ORD 5700 (2018/2023)View Source Record ↗

ASTM International, ISO & Elastomer Engineering Technical CommitteesStandard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices—Nomenclature (ASTM D1418-22) / Rubber and latices—Nomenclature (ISO 1629:2013)

STANDARDS ORG

Authoritative international nomenclature defining rubber acronyms and classification families.

Issuing Body: ASTM International & ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 45 (Rubber and Rubber Products)Revision: ASTM D1418-22 / ISO 1629:2013View Source Record ↗

ASTM International, ISO & Elastomer Engineering Technical CommitteesStandard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications (ASTM D2000-21 / SAE J200:2021)

STANDARDS ORG

Standardized classification system establishing Type and Class designations and line callouts for vulcanized rubber compounds.

Issuing Body: ASTM International & SAE International Technical CommitteesRevision: ASTM D2000-21View Source Record ↗

ASTM International, ISO & Elastomer Engineering Technical CommitteesRubber Technology (3rd Edition, Maurice Morton, Ed.) & Processing Specifications

STANDARDS ORG

Authoritative scientific treatise detailing cis-1,4 strain crystallization kinetics, network polysulfidic crosslink reversion at >70°C–80°C in conventional sulfur cures vs semi-EV stabilization, and SBR reinforcement.

Issuing Body: Maurice Morton (Ed.), Springer Science+Business MediaRevision: 3rd EditionView Source Record ↗

Intellectual Property & Provenance Notice: Mat Grades cites technical literature from recognized industry associations and standards organizations. Underlying technical standards and publication data remain the intellectual property of their respective issuing organizations.