Written on 10.01.2011 - Technology
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Lion Copolymer launches new NSBR terpolymer

Lion Copolymer, LLC, has announced the global introduction of Sabor acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene terpolymer (NSBR). The company says that Sabor is the first NSBR that enables replacement of NBR-type products, NBR/SBR blends, and NBR in NBR/PVC compounds while offering several unique improvements in performance. It facilitates processing and end-use performance in many automotive, industrial and consumer goods applications, particularly where improved mechanical properties and aggressive fluids resistance are required.

Sabor's properties offer distinct processing and performance benefits over NBR, NBR/SBR blends and NBR/PVC compounds. The company points out that this is the result of the innovative polymerisation of nitrile and styrene which enhances tensile strength, compression set, and adds excellent chemical, oil and fuel resistance, particularly to diesel. Lion Copolymers expect adoption across a range of applications such as hoses, conveyor belts, industrial matting, mechanical seals, shoe soles and heels,? said Patrick Lederer, Lion Business Director, responsible for the global launch of Sabor.

Lion Copolymer has commercialised the first three products in its new family of clear, non-staining NSBR terpolymers, produced by the cold emulsion process:

Sabor DT 30-48, a 30 acrylonitrile (ACN) and 48 Mooney
Sabor DT 33-35
Sabor DT 33-45.

Alternative to NBR/SBR blends
Sabor is said to offer several distinct and enhanced properties, in addition to the mechanical property advantages of NBR/SBR blends. These include improved tensile strength, compression set and abrasion resistance, enhanced chemical, oil and fuel resistance, particularly in diesel fuels, and good processability compared with mechanical blends of NBR and SBR, with higher loadings possible. The new NSBR terpolymers are intended to offer an effective alternative to NBR/SBR blends.

Replacement of NBR-type products
Sabor can replace NBR grades with similar ACN levels, providing greater tensile strength, equivalent or better compression set, and chemical, oil and fluids resistance. In addition, the NSBR terpolymers offer ease of processing and very good extrusion characteristics.

Enhancing NBR/PVC compounds
Important processing and performance benefits can be gained by replacing NBR with Sabor to form NSBR/PVC compounds to yield very good compound properties and processability.

About Lion Copolymer
Lion Copolymer has been in the synthetic rubber manufacturing business for over 60 years. The company has production facilities in Geismar and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, where it also operates a Technology Center for R&D, Technical Service and a Compound Application Development Laboratory.

The company manufactures and markets Royalene, Royaledge, Royaltherm and Royalflex EPDM, Trilene, Trilene Freeflow and Marlene speciality polymers, Copo and Carbomix SBR, Celogen chemical foaming agents, and the new Sabor NSBR.