SBS
SBS is a styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer, available in linear and radial architectures, oil-extended and high-styrene versions, clear SBC, Shore A 40/65/85 compounds, V-0, FDA and powder forms.
Reference datasheet — SBS is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the LIN condition
SBS grades and fills
SBS is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. LIN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SBS compound, Shore A 40 | Very soft oil-extended, filled compound for grips, soft-touch overmoulds and comfort insoles. | 5 | 650 | 12 Shore D | |
Halogen-free flame-retardant SBS compound | Specify for cable jacketing, plugs and appliance soft parts that must pass UL 94 V-0; heavy filler loading costs elasticity. | 7 | 320 | 26 Shore D | |
SBS compound, Shore A 65 | Workhorse footwear-sole and overmould hardness with a good balance of grip, tear strength and flow. | 8 | 550 | 20 Shore D | |
Oil-extended SBS | Use when a softer, easier-flowing base is wanted for footwear midsoles and soft-touch compounds without a separate oiling step. | 12 | 950 | 14 Shore D | |
SBS compound, Shore A 85 | Stiffest practical SBS compound — outsoles, heel units and semi-rigid parts needing abrasion resistance over softness. | 14 | 420 | 33 Shore D | |
High-diblock adhesive grade | Choose for hot-melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives and label stock, where free SB diblock gives tack and low melt viscosity. | 24 | 900 | 18 Shore D | |
transparent high-styrene styrene-butadiene block copolymer (K-Resin / Styrolux type) | Pick when clarity and stiffness are needed (blister packs, cups, PS clarity modifier) — rigid rather than elastomeric. | 24 | 30 | 250 | 65 Shore D |
Radial (star/branched) SBS, high molecular weight | Pick for asphalt/bitumen modification and high-cohesion adhesives where high melt viscosity and network strength matter more than flow. | 26 | 850 | 24 Shore D | |
LINDefault Linear SBS, ~30 % styrene, neat polymer | Default general-purpose linear triblock for compounding, footwear, adhesives and bitumen modification — highest strength/elasticity of the neat grades. | 30 | 880 | 22 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways SBS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
PWD | Powder / crumb form for bitumen and asphalt modification | Supply form |
FDA | Food-contact / medical-grade SBS compound | Certification |
What is SBS?
SBS is a styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer, available in linear and radial architectures, oil-extended and high-styrene versions, clear SBC, Shore A 40/65/85 compounds, V-0, FDA and powder forms. Compounds combine rubber-like elasticity — 30 MPa tensile strength at 880 % elongation and 0.94 g/cm³ — with thermoplastic processing, and are used as molded elastomer, impact modifier for polystyrene, adhesive base and bitumen modifier. The unsaturated butadiene phase limits service to about 65 °C and oxidizes under UV and ozone unless stabilized; SEBS is the hydrogenated alternative for outdoor or hotter duty. SBS has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -90°C (-130 °F). SBS has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 880% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi).
What is SBS used for?
- Shoe soles
- Adhesives and sealants
- Bitumen modification
- Soft-touch overmolding
- Toys
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 880%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.06%, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi), worse than 76% of polymer grades
SBS properties
Typical room-temperature values for SBS-LIN; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
SBS has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -90°C (-130 °F).
Mechanical10
SBS has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 880% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi).
Thermal8
SBS is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 170 µm/m·K (94.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
SBS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SBS takes about 102 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 55% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
SBS's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. SBS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SBS
Is SBS easy to machine?
Rubbery and gummy — die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic trimming beat milling; use sharp single-edge tools, high rake and no coolant that swells the butadiene phase.
Can SBS be welded?
Hot-plate, hot-air, HF and ultrasonic joining work on SBS-to-SBS or SBS-to-PS; solvent bonding with toluene/MEK-type solvents and SBS-based contact adhesives is common in footwear.
Can SBS be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 160–210 °C melt / 15–50 °C tool with generous gates and low shear (butadiene block degrades above ~230 °C); extrudes and blow-moulds easily, shrinkage 1–2 % and highly anisotropic in soft compounds.
SBS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| styrene (polystyrene end-blocks)30 % typical for elastomeric grades; 60–80 % in transparent SBC grades | 25 – 45 | 30 |
| extender oil (paraffinic/naphthenic)0 in neat grades; ~30 % in oil-extended (OE) grades, up to 40 phr in soft compounds | 0 – 35 | 0 |
| antioxidant / stabiliser packagehindered phenol + phosphite | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| filler (CaCO3, talc) in compoundscompound-dependent only | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| butadiene (polybutadiene mid-block)unsaturated rubber phase — source of poor UV/ozone resistance | ≥ 55 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on SBS?
Takes textured or matte tool finishes well; paint and print need adhesion promoters or flame/corona pretreatment, and UV-stable pigment/HALS packages are essential for outdoor colour retention.
How much does SBS cost?
SBS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
SBS — frequently asked
What is SBS used for?
SBS is typically used for shoe soles, adhesives and sealants, bitumen modification, soft-touch overmolding and toys. In short: lowest-cost styrenic TPE; 880 % elongation elastomer; standard PS impact modifier.
What is the tensile strength of SBS?
SBS has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is SBS easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades). Rubbery and gummy — die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic trimming beat milling; use sharp single-edge tools, high rake and no coolant that swells the butadiene phase.
Can SBS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Hot-plate, hot-air, HF and ultrasonic joining work on SBS-to-SBS or SBS-to-PS; solvent bonding with toluene/MEK-type solvents and SBS-based contact adhesives is common in footwear.
What surface finishes work on SBS?
Takes textured or matte tool finishes well; paint and print need adhesion promoters or flame/corona pretreatment, and UV-stable pigment/HALS packages are essential for outdoor colour retention.
Can SBS be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 160–210 °C melt / 15–50 °C tool with generous gates and low shear (butadiene block degrades above ~230 °C); extrudes and blow-moulds easily, shrinkage 1–2 % and highly anisotropic in soft compounds.
What is the maximum service temperature of SBS?
SBS is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does SBS cost?
SBS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Kraton D1101 / D1102 / D1155 / D1184 polymer datasheets — Kraton Corporation (2022)
- YH-791 / YH-796 / YH-798 SBS — (Sinopec Baling) (2023)
- K-Resin SBC / Styrolux SBC technical datasheets — Chevron Phillips Chemical / INEOS Styrolution (2021)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (styrenic TPE section) — ASM International (1988)
- ASTM D2240 / D412 / D624 — hardness, tensile and tear test methods for elastomers — ASTM International (2021)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector TPE-S compound datasheets — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.