Synthetic Rubber Selection in Practice: How to Choose Between SBR, BR, SBS and EPDM

There are many types of synthetic rubber, and choosing the wrong grade often means formula rework and wasted cost. Taking four of the most common grades as examples, this article explains their performance boundaries and applicable scenarios.

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

SBR is the general-purpose synthetic rubber with the largest volume. It balances wear resistance and overall properties, and is widely used in tyre treads, shoe soles, conveyor belts and rubber hoses. Its weaknesses are moderate oil resistance and ageing resistance, so it is usually used together with antioxidants.

Butadiene Rubber (BR)

BR has high elasticity, low heat build-up and good low-temperature resistance. It is often blended with SBR to improve wet grip and rolling resistance of tyre treads, and is also used in high-resilience shoe soles and rubber products. Its strength is low when used alone and requires reinforcement.

Styrenic Thermoplastic Elastomer (SBS)

SBS combines the elasticity of rubber with the processability of plastic and can be formed without vulcanisation. It is widely used in footwear, asphalt modification (waterproof membranes, roads), adhesives and plastic modification. When selecting, note the difference in strength between linear and radial structures.

EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer)

EPDM stands out for ozone resistance, weatherability, heat resistance and electrical insulation. It is the first choice for automotive sealing strips, waterproof membranes and cable sheaths, but its oil and solvent resistance is weak. If oil resistance is required, consider NBR (nitrile rubber).

Selection Summary and Procurement

A simple way to remember: for wear resistance choose SBR; for high elasticity and low temperature choose BR; for no-vulcanisation and recyclability choose SBS; for weatherability and ageing resistance choose EPDM; for oil resistance choose NBR. Haiyu Zhonglong supplies multiple grades in the Synthetic Rubber section. You are welcome to submit an Online Inquiry describing your working conditions to get matching recommendations.