Butyl Rubber (IIR)

Butyl Rubber offers excellent gas impermeability and air retention

Also called isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR), Butyl Rubber is impermeable to gases, resistant to water, steam and weathering.  This material was commercialised in the early 1940s with its first ever application being the construction of tyre inner tubes.

Southbourne Rubber are primarily supporting customers with seals in applications involving the creation of a vacuum.  We support customers in their construction of tyre inner liners, inner tubes and hydraulic equipment applications.  The latter would be where synthetic fluids are present and need to be controlled or contained.

What is Butyl Rubber?

Butyl Rubber has excellent resistance to oxygenated solvents such as Ketones and alcohols.  It is also able counteract the effects of alkalis, flexing and abrasion.  This material is also able to withstand exposure to oxygen/ ozone and chemicals.

A typical working temperature range for this material would be between -50 and 120º

A copolymer of isobutylene and a small amount of isoprene, this synthetic rubber is regularly used in precision engineering as rubber sealants and in the industrial sector for everything from damp proofing and roofing to tyre inners and protective clothing.

Applications

With a low resistance level, its suitability for vibration and energy damping, shock absorption and insulation applications are key characteristics.

In addition, other important advantages include exceptional resistance to gas and moisture (water and steam) permeation.

Applications where the material must absorb high levels of energy enable it to benefit SBR customers who need excellent isolation performance.  We also utilise the material's impermeable nature to resist gas for applications where we need to create a seal in vacuum.