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Fig. 2 - Typical of water is removed. Once the rubber has been involves the use of latex. The by far most important
process diagram for separated form remaining, it is conveyed to a press type of rubber is SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber), that
elastomer plant that gives to the product the final shape, which is a have a good abrasion resistance and good aging
rubber bale. stability when protected by additives. In 2012, more
At this point in time, the SSBR project has entered into than 5.4 million tons were processed.
a final phase, supervising the construction, pre-
commissioning and commissioning as the planned Synthetic rubber has its origin in
start is on next June (figure 1). two main raw materials: butadiene
and styrene, produced in specific
Rubber manufacturing process petrochemical production units. When
the two are mixed in the presence of
Synthetic rubber has its origin in two main raw soapsuds in a reactor under desired
materials: butadiene and styrene, produced in specific conditions of temperature and pressure,
petrochemical production units. When the two are
mixed in the presence of soapsuds in a reactor under liquid latex results
desired conditions of temperature and pressure, liquid
latex results. The downstream elastomer rubber This analysis fits perfectly into manufacturing process
manufacturing generally comprises the following of SSBR rubber project and above all it fits with the
operations (figure 2): raw materials handling, weighing installation made by APS for Synthos Group S.A. that,
and mixing, milling, extruding and calendaring, in addition to be one of the largest manufacturers of
component assembly and building, curing or chemical raw materials in Poland, is one of the leading
vulcanizing, inspection and finishing, storage and manufacturer of emulsion rubbers and polystyrene in
dispatch. Europe. Indeed the project is intended for the
Although the stages described below are applicable to manufacture of solution butadiene-styrene rubbers and
the majority of rubber goods manufactured from solid poly-butadiene in a continuous process based on
polymer, a substantial proportion of rubber production lithium catalyst (figure 3).
Industrial Plants - May 2015
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