Introduction
We have explored a lot about different industries and the uses of various materials. Today we will acquire a knowledge about Polyisobutylene.
Polymer of Isobutylene leads to the formation of two types of materials. They are Polyisobutylene and butyl rubber. Polyisobutylene is a colourless solid. It becomes a non-reactive substance after it is manufactured. Because of its non- reactive nature, Polyisobutylene is used as medium to modify variety of adhesives and sealants. It is also expected that Polyisobutylene is adaptable to the low temperature due to its property of having low glass transition temperature of -60. Just like polyisoprene and polybutadiene, it can also be used as blending material.
Chemical Structure and Properties
The chemical formula of polyisobutylene is CH3 – CH2 – C(CH3)2. It is also known as PIB. The nature of polyisobutylene is non- polar due to which it has good thermal and chemical stability. The range of its molecular weight starts from 300 up to several millions. Thus, it possesses various properties like hardness, tensile strength and elongation.
Manufacturing Process
The process of manufacturing is called cationic polymerization. It requires a cooled environment ad presence of a strong acid catalyst to obtain polyisobutylene. The cooled environment helps isobutylene and isoprene in slowing down the reaction rate and controlling the polymerization process. After it is cooled down, the mixture is exposed to the catalyst due to which the units of isobutylene starts forming long chains that marks the beginning of polymerization process.
Uses of Polyisobutylene
substance can be used for various purposes. Some of the are:
- Fuel and Lubricant additive: Polyisobutylene reacts with different ethyleneimines and used in lubricating oils as an additive. This addition of polyisobutylene in lubricating oil prevents the machine from generating oil mist. Its addition to crude oil results into increase in oil’s viscoelasticity. It also a property to function as “detergent package” as it blends with other detergents when added in fuel as an additive.
- Explosives: Polyisobutylene is used as a binding agent in plastic explosives. Due to the use of polyisobutylene, the explosive becomes more insensitive and is easier to mold.
- Insulating Windows: Polyisobutylene provides the much-needed air and moisture to the unit. Thus, it is used as primary seal in the insulating glass windows.
Material based on Polyisobutylene
- Butyl Rubber: Butyl Rubber is obtained by adding isoprene into the polymerization of isobutylene. The mixture contains 97-98% of isobutylene and 2-3% of isoprene. Butyl rubber becomes cross linkable due to the small amount of unsaturation in polymer because of this addition. There are also different variety of this material such as chlorinated butyl rubber and brominated butyl rubber. Butyl sealants are melted on a temperature up to 180
Uses of Butyl Rubber: Butyl based seal is most commonly used in the form of tapes. It is because these tapes can be rolled and unrolled easily on the adherend surfaces and can also be directed towards a certain track. This material can be used for various purposes such as glazing applications, construction of the application, and in the manufacturing of insulated glass. Butyl rubber is also used in speaker and audio equipment, sporting equipment, damp proofing and roof repair and many more.
- Viscoelastic Wraps: Viscoelastic is the same material as chewing gum. It is a novel material obtained from polyisobutylene. Viscoelastic is resistant to water, polar solvents and bacteria. It is sold in the form of roll or tape that have an internal layer. This layer can be known as mesh layer and it supports as well as releases viscoelastic.
Uses of Viscoelastic Wraps: The main use of viscoelastic wraps is maintenance of coatings for pipes, GWS, valves, etc.
Its Environmental Impact and Disposal
The products made from PIB can be used for many years. Many efforts are being taken for its development to make it more environment friendly and increase its recyclability. The advanced techniques and scientific experiments have marched on the path of making this material eco-friendly.
Take Away
Polyisobutylene has been a resourceful elastomer. It can be used for various purposes and possesses variety of properties. Polyisobutylene can be considered a very useful material in different industries and for different products. With the help of advancement in technologies, it can be made better to enhance its use. It is useful over the wide range of industries starting from insulating the window till making plastic explosive and lubricant. The best quality possessed by this substance is that, it is a water resistant substance. Rubber butylene and viscoelastic wraps are the main basic forms of Polyisobutylene. It is used widely in the manufacturing industries as it has become the backbone of many industries.
We hope that this article has given the insight regarding Polyisobutylene and the crucial details connected to it. We would like to know how we can serve our readers in a better way because only our readers can help us to get better and better. Kindly drop your valuable feedback and suggestions if any, in the drop box. Till then, keep on reading and exploring with us.