Rubber with Green Credentials, a High Modulus and Low Die Swell – UBEPOL VCR

UBE Industries, Ltd. is a leading global manufacture of high-cis polybutadiene rubber using a cobalt catalyst. Since the early 70s, the company have been manufacturing UBEPOL in its plant in Chiba/Japan, and has expanded production to China and Thailand. Recently, it opened a new plant in Malaysia (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The plant of Lotte Ube Synthetic Rubber

Global market interest for UBEPOL VCR^® is increasing. A unique rubber-resin complex, UBEPOL VCR^® contains micro-dispersed syndiontactic polybutadiene resins in a high-cis polybutadiene rubber matrix. UBE’s product has a high modulus and a lower die swell, allowing it to reduce fillers, thin the components of tires and enhance dimensional stability.

This means that UBEPOL VCR^® is helpful in complying with the demands of green tires and contributes to sustainable production.

Figure 2. VCR's application for Tire Requirement

UBE Product Features

UBEPOL VCR^® is a composite of rubber and resin, and it consists of high-cis BR and high-crystalline syndiotactic polybutadiene resin (a special type of polymer alloy).

Using UBEPOL VCR^® provides various advantages;

• Increasing the hardness and modulus of rubber products without having to add a filler
• Reducing the weight or volume of rubber products by a reinforcing effect
• Improving extrusion properties and roll mill shrinkage.

Table 1. The Features of UBEPOL VCR^® for Rubber Applications

* cis-1,4 content of matrix polymer

Applications

• Commodities such as golf balls and shoe soles
• Tires for passenger cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and construction machinery
• Iindustrial products - including conveyor belts, polystyrene modifier, rubber isolators, hoses, and casters.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by UBE Group.

For more information on this source, please visit UBE Group.