Rubber products can remain in inventory for long periods of time. Shelf life, the storage period prior to part installation, varies by elastomer type. Storage conditions such as temperature, humidity, ozone, and exposure to light also affect the shelf life of rubber products. By understanding these factors and best practices, buyers can make informed decisions about sourcing elastomers and storing die cut seals, gaskets, and O-rings.
Are you interested in learning more about square rubber gasket supplier? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
For organizations that don’t have their own shelf life standards, Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) 5316 provides guidelines for the storage of rubber products. ARP 5316 is a recommended practice rather than a binding specification, but it’s used in various industries. Designed for aerospace applications, ARP 5316 was published originally by the Society of Aerospace Engineers (SAE).
Environmental conditions such as high temperatures and high humidity can cause unwanted physical changes in rubber products. Proper storage conditions won’t guarantee product quality, but they do promote storage life. For best results, ARP 5316 recommends storing rubber parts according to the following guidelines.
Environmental Condition Recommended Storage Condition Temperature Below 100° F (38° C) Humidity Less than 75% unless products are stored in sealed, moisture-proof bags Light Protection from direct sunlight or intense artificial light Ozone Storage rooms should not contain any ozone-generating equipment
For organizations that source elastomeric materials and store die cut rubber products, the following table contains shelf life recommendations by elastomer type. Buyers can use this information to make sourcing decisions that account for the time a batch of rubber has been inventory, and the expected length of time that die cut rubber parts will be stored.
Common or Trade Name Recommended Shelf Life Silicone 20 years Viton®, Fluorel 20 Years Neoprene 5 – 10 years EPDM 5 – 10 years Butyl 5 – 10 years Nitrile, NBR 5 – 10 years SBR 3 – 5 years Natural Rubber, Pure Gum 3 – 5 years
Interstate Specialty Products supplies die cut gaskets, seals, and O-rings in a wide variety of part sizes and product quantities. We work with a trusted network of material suppliers, and use precision die cutting to achieve tight tolerances according to your exact requirements. For more information about shelf life and the die cut rubber products we can supply, please contact us on-line.
In the context of the requirements of the drinking water directive and the associated national and European hygiene requirements for organic materials in contact with drinking water, the long-term behaviour of elastomer sealing materials is discussed below.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of round rubber block supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
According to standards EN 805 and EN 806-2, pipes and pipe joints for drinking water supply and installation are to be planned for a working life of at least 50 years. Based on the working life of the pipe system and/or the pipe materials, the joint system must function for at least as long as the pipes themselves. The technical working life of the pipe joints, i.e. also including that of the seals, is not taken into account in this consideration as a rule.
The sealing of the push-in joints as the heart of the piping system should achieve a working life of more than 100 years, corresponding to the service life of today’s ductile iron pipelines. This is ensured among other things by appropriate physical material properties. In addition the seal must also meet all requirements and approvals as regards drinking water hygiene.
Independently of the hygiene and certification aspects of an individual country, the basic requirements for a seal are covered in EN 681-1 (or ISO 4633) which addresses the physical properties of the materials.
Requirements for finished seals are defined in the relevant product and trade association standards as well as in client specifications. The performance of a pipeline seal or gasket is dependent on the material properties of the seal, its geometric form and the construction of the pipe joint.
The material of a seal, its design formulation as well as the seal itself are subject to the requirements of standards and specifications. As a rule they are certified and have all the necessary documentation and type examination certificates. However, the assessment of their behaviour over the long term is only marginal or even non-existent.
An essential criterion for a reliable statement on the durable tightness of a pipe joint is the compression set. It provides information about the viscoelastic properties of a sealing material and is measured according to the ISO 815-1 or ISO 815-2 test method.
The company is the world’s best pu gasket supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.