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Polyisoprene, polybutadiene and butadiene/styrene copolymers can be manufactures by various processes. The most versatile methodology is the living polymerization or solution-phase polymerization technology employing butyllithium as initiator. The process enables an effective control of the molecular weight, the molecular-weight distribution, the co-monomer ratio, the sequence distribution of butadiene and styrene, the degree of branching and thus the microstructure and properties of the final polymer. Compared to emulsion polymerization, the butyllithium-initiated process can be performed at a higher temperature, which allows the use of less expensive water-cooling systems and results in a good work-up rubber.
Albemarle supplies n- and sec-butyllithium in different solvents and concentrations. Our unique production technology and regional productions sites guarantee the highest quality product for this application.