Material Selection: Butyl

Posted By:  Sperry & Rice
Friday July 28, 2017

Butyl is a brand of synthetic rubber used in extrusions at Sperry & Rice LLC. Like SBR, butyl rubber (IIR) was developed in 1937 to produce a substitute for supplies cut off by World War II. Today, butyl’s flexible, yet stable structure lends to a variety of products:

  • Tire liners and tubes
  • Rubber stoppers for medicine bottles
  • Rubber roof repair
  • Sports equipment, such as basketballs and footballs
  • Gas masks

Butyl is the copolymer of isbutylene and small amounts of isoprene, making it structurally similar to polypropylene. The molecular structure of butyl makes it an inherently stable rubber that can withstand weathering, heat, and age. Butyl is also noted for its exceptional resistance to oxygenated solvents, ozone, oils, and greases, as well as gas and moisture permeation.

Because butyl rubber is shock resistant and highly flexible, it is suitable for materials in the auto industry and hydraulics applications. IIR forms a soft, resilient compression seal that allows for expansion and contraction, so it doesn’t crack and it performs well in most climates.

Butyl rubber can have a tendency to blister or trap air, so when selecting a supplier for butyl products, it’s imperative to work with a company who understands the unique makeup and capabilities of this material. Sperry & Rice has decades of experience manipulating various polymers for mixing and extrusion. Contact us today for more information.

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