Butadiene
Description
Butadiene (1,3-Butadiene) is a flammable, colorless gas with a mild aromatic odor and it is highly reactive. Butadiene is soluble in alcohol and ether, insoluble in water and polymerizes readily, particularly if oxygen is present.
Properties
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity |
|---|
| Molecular weight | g/mol | 54.09 |
| Density | liquid at 20°C | 0.6211 |
| Freezing point | °C | -108.9 |
| Boiling point | °C | -4.41 |
| CAS number | 106-99-0 |
| IUPAC | Buta-1,3-diene |
Specifications
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity | Test Method |
|---|
| Purity (1) | wt % | 99.5 min | ASTM D-2593 |
| Propadiene | ppm, wt | 10 max. | ASTM D-2593 |
| 1,2 Butadiene | ppm, wt | 20 max. | ASTM D-2593 |
| Total acetylenes | ppm, wt | 20 max. | ASTM D-2593 |
| Methyl acetylene | ppm, wt | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Ethyl acetylene | ppm, wt | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Vinyl acetylene | ppm, wt | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Butene-1 / isobutylenes | - | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Cis butene-2 | - | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Trans-butene-2 | - | Report | ASTM D-2593 |
| Total C5’s | ppm, wt | 500 max. | ASTM D-2593 |
| Sulfur (as H25) | ppm, wt | 5 max. | ASTM D-4045 |
| Carbonyls (as CH3CHO) | ppm, wt | 10 max. | ASTM D-4423 |
| Peroxides (as H2O2) | ppm, wt | 5 max. | - |
| TBC (tertiary butyl catgechol) | ppm, wt | 75-150 | ASTM D-1157 |
| Butadiene dimer | ppm, wt | 250 max. | ASTM D-2426 |
| Total atomic Nitrogen (2) | ppm, wt | 10 max. | ASTM D-4629 |
| Water (3) | ppm, wt | 300 max. | ASTM D-1744 |
| Solvency (n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) | ppm, wt | 5 max. | ASTM D-2593 |
| Oxygen in vapors (3) | vol % | 0.1 max. | - |
(1) Purity is obtained by subtracting all the hydrocarbon impurities as obtained by ASTM D-2593.
(2) On request only.
(3) For export shipment only.
Note:
- ASTM : American Society for Testing and Materials.
Hazards and safety
Irritant in high concentration. A suspected human carcinogen.
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity |
|---|
| Explosion limits in air | | 2-11.5% |
| Ignition point | °C | 429 |
| Flash point | °C | -76 |
| UN or ID No | | 1010 |
Applications
One major use of butadiene has been in the making of synthetic rubber (styrene-butadiene and nitrile butadiene rubbers, to a large extent, CIS-polybutadiene is also an extender and substitute for rubber, and polymerizations transpolybutadiene is a type of rubber with unusual properties). Butadiene is also used extensively for various polymerizations for plastics manufacturing. Copolymers with high proportions of styrene have found applications such as stiffening resins for rubber, in water-base and other paints, and in high impact plastic. Butadiene also serves as a starting material for nylon 66 (adiponitrile) and an ingredient in rocket fuel (butadiene - acrylonitrile polymer).
Storage and handling
Contact with oxidizing agent may cause ignition. Steel is recommended for tanks and piping in butadiene service, and it is usually stored under pressure or in insulated tanks at reduced temperature, preferably below 1.6°C (35°F). Goggles, rubber gloves and protective clothing should be worn, and self-contained breathing apparatus should be used.
Packaging
Cryogenic tankers.