Abstract

Styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR) is a copolymer of styrene and butadiene. It is composed of 1,2-unit, 1,4-unit, and styrene, and its properties are dependent on its microstructure. In general, rubber composites contain a single rubber or a blended rubber. Similarly, SBR is used by mixing with natural rubber(NR) and butadiene rubber(BR). The composition of a rubber article affects its physical and chemical properties. Herein, an analytical method for determining the microstructure of SBR using via pyrolysis is introduced. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is widely used to analyze the microstructure of polymeric materials. The microstructure of SBR can be determined by analyzing the principal pyrolysis products formed from SBR, such as 4-vinylcyclohexene, styrene, 2-phenylpropene, 3-phenylcyclopentene, and 4-phenylcyclohexene. An analytical method for determining the composition of SBR/NR, SBR/BR, and SBR/NR/BR blends via pyrolysis is introduced. The composition of blended rubber can be determined by analyzing the principal pyrolysis products formed from each rubber component.

Keywords: pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry;styrene-butadiene rubber;microstructural analysis;natural rubber;butadiene rubber