Performance of Butyl Inner Tubes. Influence on Tire Life

Since the first scientific paper on Butyl rubber was presented, numerous publications have described the properties and compounding technique of this polymer. Although Butyl has been referred to as a specialty rubber, it can also be used to replace natural rubber in many applications. Butyl was found to be a remarkable barrier to the passage of gases, including air. The polymer also deteriorated very little on aging and had excellent tear resistance. Because of these properties Butyl was first considered for inner tubes, and in this application Butyl has found its largest commercial acceptance. Automobile inner tubes were first made experimentally in September, 1940. With Butyl made in the Standard Oil pilot plant this experimental work continued until April, 1943, when the first government plant began producing Butyl commercially. From that time until the present Butyl has been used successfully to manufacture all types and sizes of inner tubes ranging from bicycle tubes of 1¼-inch cross-section to earth-mover tubes of 24-inch cross-section. Butyl tubes were first used by the United States Army for service in the European war theater in May, 1944. The following month Butyl was used in essential civilian trucks; but not until September, 1945, was sufficient Butyl available for civilian automobile tubes.