Polyisobutylene (PIB)

Polyisobutylene (PIB) is a very versatile, non-toxic, water-white viscous liquid and has the ability to increase tackiness, to provide water-repellency, to improve viscosity-index and it provides excellent electrical insulation.

The PB-range is non-hazardous and has no-odor, whereby the product can be used as a thickener and lubricant in a wide range of applications, such as Adhesives, Glues, Sealants, Resins, Lubricants, Asphalt, Stretch Wrap, Electrical insulation, Cosmetics and Food (Gumbase-grade). The standard molecular weight ranges from 300 to 2400 and the product can be easily mixed/blended into Synthetic and Mineral Oils, Waxes, Solvents, Esters, Polymers, Resins and Bitumen.

Main Applications:

Adhesives (pressure sensitive adhesives and hot melt adhesives)

Electrical insulation materials (cables, condenser…)

Intermediate for lubricants and fuels dispersant additives, explosive emulsifier

Lubricants and greases (as viscosity modifiers in automotive and industrial gear oils, base oil in 2 strokes lubricants, tackifier in chainsaw and slideway lubricants, bright stock substitute, metal working fluids…)

Sealants and caulks

Wrap films (stretch films, wrap films for silage…)

Others: asphalt modifiers, chewing gum (high MW PIB), personal care (hydrogenated PIB), polymer modifiers, resin plasticizer

Polyisobutylene is a synthetic rubber, or elastomer. It's special because it's the only rubber that's gas impermeable. That is, it's the only rubber that can hold air for long periods of time. You may have noticed that balloons will go flat after a few days. This is because they are made of polyisoprene, which is not gas impermeable. Because polyisobutylene will hold air, it is used to make things like the inner tubes, liner layers of tires, and the inner liners of basketballs.