Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the specific commercial polymer from the choices provided that is widely utilized in the manufacturing of automotive tyres.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Tyre production requires an elastomer (synthetic rubber) that displays outstanding resistance to mechanical wear, high abrasion resistance, and long-term durability against environmental aging and heat buildup.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the properties and typical applications of each choice:
• Neoprene: A polymer of chloroprene, praised for chemical stability and oil resistance, commonly used for making hoses, gaskets, and wetsuits.
• SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber): A synthetic copolymer composed of styrene and butadiene monomers. SBR exhibits excellent traction properties, high abrasion resistance, and outstanding mechanical stability over time. Because of these distinct physical traits, more than $50\%$ of car tyres are manufactured using SBR blends.
• Bakelite: A rigid, brittle thermosetting phenol-formaldehyde resin primarily used for electrical switches and heat-resistant handles.
• Polyacrylonitrile (PAN): A synthetic resin used as a precursor for generating high-strength carbon fibers and textiles.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The polymer used to manufacture tyres is SBR, which corresponds to option (B).