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polybutene

polybutene

1 9.9
A soft plastic used in glue, machine oil, and man-made rubber
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒliˈbjuːtiːn/
  • Specialized
: polibuteno
  • Because of its flexibility, polybutene is chosen for certain types of piping.

Examples

  • The manufacturer uses polybutene to improve the viscosity of the lubricant.

  • The company produces polybutene for various applications.

  • A new adhesive formula combines polybutene with other synthetic resins.

  • Polybutene is commonly used in adhesives.

  • In manufacturing, polybutene is often used in adhesives due to its strong bonding properties.

  • The manufacturer recommended a polybutene lubricant for high-performance machinery.

  • For her outdoor project, she chose a polybutene-based sealant to ensure durability.

Synonyms

polybutylene
vspolybutene
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A plastic used to make pipes, machine oils, and rubber products

is used mainly in adhesives and lubricants rather than piping

Surface Forms

polybutene singular
polybutenes plural

Morphology

polybutene = butene (semi-transparent) = poly + but + ene

The prefix poly- clearly signals a polymer, but the base term butene is technical and the full chemical meaning is not fully obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word polybutene comes from poly- meaning 'many' (as in polyester) and butene, the name of a small chemical unit. It means 'many butene parts' joined into a long chain, which is why polybutene is a flexible synthetic material used in adhesives, lubricants, and rubber products.