Description

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Latex — High-Solids Polymer Emulsion for Carpet, Paper & Adhesives

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex is the most widely consumed synthetic rubber latex in the world, playing a central role in the manufacture of carpet backing, paper coating, adhesives, construction chemicals, textile finishing, and foam products. Produced by emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butadiene monomers, SBR latex delivers a versatile balance of mechanical strength, flexibility, adhesion, water resistance, and cost-effectiveness that makes it the material of choice for applications requiring a durable, water-based polymer binder. India’s SBR latex consumption has grown steadily in parallel with the expansion of the carpet manufacturing, paper processing, and construction industries, creating sustained demand for reliable and technically supported latex supply. Davar ChemTech supplies multiple grades of SBR latex from its Vadodara operations, serving carpet manufacturers in Bhadohi and Panipat, paper mills across western and southern India, adhesive formulators, and construction chemical producers throughout the country.

SBR latex formulation is a technically nuanced field in which the styrene-to-butadiene ratio, polymer molecular weight, particle size distribution, solids content, and additive package all interact to determine the end product’s performance characteristics. High-styrene SBR latex (styrene content above 50%) produces films that are harder, more rigid, and more water-resistant, making them suitable for paper coating and carpet backing applications where stiffness and moisture barrier properties are important. High-butadiene SBR latex (styrene content below 40%) produces softer, more flexible films with superior low-temperature flexibility and tack, preferred in adhesive and textile applications where flexibility and bond strength are prioritized. Additionally, SBR latex grades may be carboxylated (containing acrylic or methacrylic acid comonomers) to improve adhesion to polar substrates and mechanical stability in formulations containing fillers and pigments. Davar ChemTech’s technical team assists customers in selecting the optimal SBR latex grade based on their specific application requirements for film hardness, flexibility, adhesion, and filler loading capacity.

SBR Latex Product Portfolio

• Standard SBR latex (styrene 23–25%, solids 60–65%):
  general-purpose grade for carpet backing, foam cushion backing, and construction adhesives; balanced hardness and flexibility
• High-styrene SBR latex (styrene 50–60%, solids 48–55%):
  paper coating grade providing hard, water-resistant films with excellent pigment binding and printability enhancement
• Carboxylated SBR latex (X-SBR, styrene 40–45%, solids 50–55%):
  enhanced adhesion to cellulose substrates, improved filler tolerance, and superior mechanical stability for carpet and paper applications
• High-solid SBR latex (solids 68–72%):
  concentrated grade that reduces shipping costs and drying energy in carpet backing and paper coating operations
• Low-temperature SBR latex (styrene 20–23%):
  enhanced flexibility and freeze-thaw stability for applications in cold climates and refrigerated storage conditions
• Specialty SBR latex grades:
  self-crosslinking, flame-retardant, and antimicrobial variants for specific application requirements

Industrial Applications

Application Coverage

Industry / Sector	Application / Reason for Use
Carpet & Rug Manufacturing	Primary binder in tufted carpet primary and secondary backing; SBR latex saturates the backing fabric and anchors tufted yarn, providing dimensional stability and tuft bind
Paper & Board Coating	Pigment binder in coated printing paper and board; SBR latex binds clay and calcium carbonate coatings to the paper substrate, improving surface smoothness and print quality
Adhesives & Sealants	Water-based adhesive binder for carpet tile adhesives, wall coverings, packaging adhesives, and pressure-sensitive adhesive formulations
Construction Chemicals	Polymer modifier in cement-based tile adhesives, waterproofing membranes, repair mortars, and concrete curing compounds; improves adhesion, flexibility, and water resistance
Textile & Nonwovens	Binder for nonwoven fabric production, textile backing and sizing; provides hand feel, durability, and dimensional stability to treated fabrics
Foam & Cushioning	Latex foam cushioning for mattresses, pillows, and upholstery; SBR latex provides resilient, durable foam with good recovery properties

Carpet backing is the single largest application for SBR latex in India, where the country has established itself as one of the world’s leading carpet and rug manufacturing nations. The Bhadohi-Mirzapur belt in Uttar Pradesh and the Panipat cluster in Haryana together account for the vast majority of India’s carpet production, which includes hand-knotted, hand-tufted, and machine-made carpets in wool, synthetic, and blended fiber compositions. In tufted carpet manufacturing, SBR latex is applied as an aqueous emulsion to the back of the carpet through a saturation or printing process, where it penetrates the primary backing fabric, surrounds the tufted yarn bundles, and forms a continuous polymer film upon drying that locks the yarns in place. The quality of the SBR latex directly determines the carpet’s tuft bind strength (resistance to yarn pull-out), dimensional stability (resistance to stretching and distortion), and durability under foot traffic. Key performance parameters for carpet-backing SBR latex include solids content, minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT), mechanical stability (resistance to coagulation under shear), and compatibility with filler loading (calcium carbonate, which is commonly added at 200 to 400 parts per hundred of dry latex to reduce material cost). Davar ChemTech supplies carpet-backing SBR latex with optimized MFFT, mechanical stability, and filler tolerance that enables carpet manufacturers to achieve high tuft bind while maintaining competitive material costs.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Standard SBR Latex (Carpet Backing)
Chemical Type	Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer Emulsion
CAS Number	9003-55-8
Total Solids Content	60–65%
Styrene/Butadiene Ratio	23/77 to 25/75
pH	8.5–10.5
Viscosity at 25°C	50–200 mPa·s
Surface Tension	40–60 mN/m
Minimum Film-Forming Temp	5–15°C
Mechanical Stability	≥ 400 seconds (70°C high-speed stirring)
Appearance	White milky liquid with mild ammonia odor
Packaging	200 kg HDPE drums / 1000 kg IBC totes / Bulk tanker
Shelf Life	6 months (store at 5–35°C, protect from freezing)

Storage, Handling & Safety

SBR latex must be stored in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C. Exposure to temperatures below 5°C can cause the latex to freeze, resulting in irreversible coagulation that renders the material unusable. Exposure to temperatures above 35°C accelerates microbial growth and increases the risk of premature coagulation. Containers must be kept tightly sealed to prevent evaporation of water and ammonia (which is present as a stabilizer), as ammonia loss causes pH drop and eventual latex coagulation. The recommended maximum storage period is 6 months from production date — extended storage leads to gradual viscosity increase and potential skin formation. Workers handling SBR latex should wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles to prevent skin and eye contact. Although SBR latex is not classified as hazardous, prolonged skin contact can cause drying and irritation. Good workplace ventilation should be maintained to prevent ammonia vapor accumulation. Spills should be collected promptly — latex spilled on floors creates extremely slippery surfaces and, once dried, forms a tough rubbery film that is difficult to remove. SBR latex is classified as non-dangerous for transport and is shipped as general cargo.

Distribution & Technical Support

Davar ChemTech supplies SBR latex in packaging configurations tailored to each customer’s consumption volume and handling infrastructure: 200 kg HDPE drums for small and medium manufacturers, 1000 kg IBC totes for high-volume consumers with forklift and pumping capability, and bulk tanker delivery for the largest carpet and paper manufacturers. Our Vadodara warehouse maintains temperature-controlled storage to preserve latex quality during inventory holding, and our logistics partners are experienced in latex transportation with appropriate vehicle suspension to prevent excessive agitation during transit. We serve carpet manufacturers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, paper mills in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, and construction chemical producers across India. Our technical team provides application support including latex grade selection guidance, formulation optimization assistance, and troubleshooting of common processing issues such as coagulation, foam generation, and adhesive performance problems.

Why Davar ChemTech

SBR latex is a performance-critical material where quality consistency directly impacts our customers’ manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Inconsistent latex solids content, MFFT, or mechanical stability causes production problems including backing delamination in carpets, coating defects in paper, and adhesive bond failures. Davar ChemTech’s quality control program tests solids, pH, viscosity, mechanical stability, and MFFT for every incoming batch, and our batch traceability system enables root cause analysis if quality issues arise during our customers’ production. Our combination of broad grade availability, application-specific technical guidance, and responsive logistics makes Davar ChemTech a preferred SBR latex supply partner for manufacturers across India.

Need a reliable SBR latex supplier with multiple grades, application expertise, and pan-India delivery? Contact Davar ChemTech for specifications, samples, and technical support.