Rubber parts are key to operating a lot of equipment safely. The parts act as seals, bumpers, flexible hoses, and more—but that rubber material can quickly degrade if you aren't careful. You need to protect rubber parts, especially those you had custom-made, because that allows the equipment to keep working and because it saves you money when you don't have to constantly replace parts. While you can't stop all the effects of aging on the rubber parts, you can preserve the parts for a little longer, especially if you're mindful of storage and usage conditions.
This Isn't a Sudden Process
One day all the rubber parts on a particular piece of equipment seem to be doing fine, and the next, they're cracking and dropping bits to the ground. This actually didn't happen overnight, even though it seems like it. Deterioration due to aging, the environment, and other factors is a constant process that starts as soon as the rubber part is made. You've just reached the point where the effects are now visible.
Protect From Excessive Temperatures and Aridity/Humidity
Excessive temperatures and humidity levels will cause the rubber to degrade faster. Too hot, and the rubber can warp and even soften. Too cold, and the rubber can become brittle and crack. Too humid, and some types of rubber will develop mold very quickly, and too arid, and the rubber can dry out and crack. Storing spare rubber parts in a climate-controlled environment with moderate temperatures and moderate humidity will protect those. For parts in use, especially outside, try to shield them from the environmental conditions when possible.
Don't Confuse Rubber Bloom With Deterioration
Newer rubber parts may begin to look old soon after you receive them, with a whitish layer forming on them as if they're drying out quickly. This can be due to contamination or degradation, but it is most likely something called bloom. It's a surface reaction that is normal and that is cosmetic only. If you can clean the whitish layer away (at least temporarily), it's most likely bloom, and you don't have to worry about whether the part is deteriorating.
If you have questions about protecting the specific type of rubber-based material that was cut to make the parts, contact the custom rubber parts manufacturing service. Deterioration in rubber is normal, but that doesn't mean you don't have any way to make the part last as long as possible.
Share16 August 2022
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