However, for some of the most hazardous chemicals with the highest acute toxicity, special polymers are needed. Butyl, Viton or film laminates offer the highest chemical barrier for situations where other polymers fail to offer the maximum protection. Butyl Rubber Butyl rubber is one of the most widely used synthetic polymers in the world, ranking third in total synthetic elastomers used. This program sought to ensure the availability of rubber supplies for military use. Indeed, shortages of natural rubber during wartime have resulted in the development of many of today's synthetic rubber compounds.
Butyl rubber is a synthetic elastomeric co-polymer of isobutylene with a small percent of isoprene.
The tight molecular structure of Butyl rubber gives it unique properties such as low gas permeability, resistance to heat, ozone, chemical attack and resistance to tearing. Butyl is widely used by glassmakers as the sealant for windows in the home and automobile windshields. The most common application of Butyl rubber is in the manufacture of tires. Because of the low gas permeability of Butyl it retains air without leaking or rupturing. Inner tubes made of Butyl are eight times higher in air retention than inner tubes made from natural rubber.