Self‐heating properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber

Rubbers, including styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), are well known to be susceptible to self-heating. SBR is used in a wide range of applications and is often produced in the form of a crumb which is then used to form the final product. The crumb may be transported and stored in large quantities. Self-heating properties of a SBR crumb have been determined using standard oven methods. The results indicate that self-heating is a real hazard for SBR crumb. The results are generally consistent with recent measurements by Clothier and Prichard (Combust. Flame 2003; 133:207-210) for rubber tyre crumb.