How long do rubber gaskets last?

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As a business owner, plant supervisor or maintenance manager you likely have to deal with the dreaded gasket failure at some point. Predicting the lifespan of a gasket can be hit and miss. However, there are some measures that you can take to safeguard the longevity of your rubber gasket. TRP Polymer Solutions has compiled some essential tips about how to preserve your rubber gaskets.

The cost of gasket failures

There are no two ways about it; a gasket failure is a major headache. For such a small and relatively inexpensive component, a failed gasket can wreak havoc in any plant, invariably leading to costly downtime. Beyond the obvious loss of productivity, there is also a drain on resources in the form of necessary maintenance and repair work to get your operations back up and running. That&#;s not to mention the possibility of injuries to personnel.

Therefore, paying close attention to the health of your gaskets really should be a priority, if it isn&#;t already, to ensure the safe and efficient running of your plant machinery.

Types of gasket failure

There are basically two types of gasket failures, a catastrophic failure of a gasket, which can lead to instant and urgent leakage of your media and chronic leakage, caused by the gradual deterioration of a gasket over time, which can cause small but still significant leaks.

Both types of gasket failure can often be attributed to the following common factors:

• Temperature
• Uneven flange surfaces
• Stress relaxation and torque loss
• Uneven pressure forces at the joint

One thing we would certainly recommend is to keep a historical log of failures and the reasons for these occurrences. This will enable you to ascertain any trends and inform any corrective measures that need to be taken to prevent any future failures. It&#;s worth noting that corrective measures entail fixing the root cause and developing mechanisms that will prevent any recurrence, rather than simply replacing the gasket and hoping for the best.

How to preserve rubber gaskets

There are three major considerations to bear in mind when it comes to preserving your gaskets:

1. Material selection

Choosing the right material may seem like an obvious choice but it is surprising how many applications are fitted with incorrect gaskets. Whether it&#;s the wrong chemical compatibility or the wrong material for your temperature exposure, this mistake can have dire consequences for your processes.

2. Gasket quality

Cost can make a big difference. If you buy cheap, you have to consider where the manufacturers have cut costs. Materials are usually of a poorer quality and may be poorly manufactured.

3. Installation

Installation is the most important contributor to gasket life. An incorrectly installed gasket will be likely to fail prematurely, with the associated downtime and replacement costs.

TRP Polymer Solutions reduces the risk of gasket failure

Here at TRP Polymer Solutions, we can influence your gasket selection and the quality of your chosen gasket(s) &#; both for the better. We can provide extremely proficient technical advice from some of the industry&#;s most knowledgeable and experienced polymer technologists, as well as ensuring the performance and durability of your gasket, using our advanced manufacturing processes.

We don&#;t do low performance, off-the-shelf products that use inferior materials. TRP Polymer Solutions specialises in developing high performance custom rubber components (including gaskets), in a range of specialist rubber and PTFE materials, which deliver enhanced flexibility, extended service, temperature resistance, chemical resistance and reduced permeability.

As part of our rigorous design and manufacturing processes, we can design and formulate innovative new materials using state-of-the-art processes, including component design CAD, polymer FEA and feasibility DFMEA. We also carry out a Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to test the integrity of our designs, to ensure that your rubber gasket is truly built to last.

For more information about TRP&#;s rubber gaskets, or for expert advice on gasket installation, call us today on +44(0) to speak to one of our technical team or us at .

Rubber products are everywhere, and you likely come into contact with countless rubber products in your daily life. Because rubber is such a common material, it&#;s important to know how long rubber products last. Below you will find the shelf life of rubber products so you don&#;t risk using expired goods.

Shelf Life of Rubber Products

One of the major factors in how long your rubber lasts is the condition in which they are stored. In the best of conditions, rubber can last well beyond its expiration date. However, poor conditions can cause major issues. In fact, rubber stored in optimal conditions can be used beyond its expiration date. 

There are a variety of factors that contribute to the long shelf life of rubber. Rubber should be stored in a cool, dry place as water and warmth can negatively impact the rubber. The area should also be free from light, moisture, oxygen, and any chemicals or chemical-related products. These can disrupt the integrity of rubber and cause issues with its effectiveness. The best temperature for rubber is below 25 degrees Celsius, but preferably at 15 degrees Celsius.

It&#;s important to note that the shelf life of a product is not the sole indicator as to whether the rubber product is still good. In fact, it can be somewhat risky to wait to use rubber products until the last possible time indicated by the expiration date. Do you have a variety of rubber products? It is best to use them as soon as possible in order to ensure their maximum effectiveness. Even in the best of conditions, rubber can undergo changes and their physical properties can be damaged to a point of being unusable. If the rubber product has expired, it&#;s best to avoid using it due to the possible negative impacts caused by expired rubber.

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Shelf Life of Common Rubber Products

Below are some of the common rubbers used in a variety of products. They are listed by their trade name or common name and their respective recommended shelf life.

• Silicone: 

  This is commonly used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, and even cooking utensils. The shelf life of silicone is 20 years.

• Viton (&#;Fluorel&#;):

   Commonly used in seals for aircraft engines, automotive fuel handling systems, and vacuum seals, the shelf life of Viton is 20 years.

• Neoprene: 

  This is commonly used in water sportswear, automotive gaskets, and athletic equipment. The shelf life of neoprene is 5 to 10 years.

• EPDM: 

  EPDM, also referred to as ethylene propylene diene monomer, is used in window and door seals as well as cooling system hoses. The shelf life of EPDM is 5 to 10 years.

• Butyl:

   Commonly used in O-rings, caulks, sealants, fiberoptic compounds, and agricultural chemicals, Butyl can last up to 5 to 10 years.

• Nitrile (&#;NBR&#;): 

  This is commonly used in fuel hoses, gaskets, rollers, and other products that require oil resistance. The shelf life of Nitrile is 5 to 10 years.

• SBR: 

  SBR, also referred to as styrene-butadiene rubber, is used in the manufacturing of automobile tires. The shelf life of SBR is 3 to 5 years.

• Natural Rubber:

   Commonly used in medical devices, surgical gloves, car tires, pacifiers, clothes, and toys, the shelf life of natural rubber is 3 to 5 years.

Specialty Seals

One of the best ways to determine the shelf life of your unique rubber or rubber product is to talk with a skilled rubber manufacturer. This is especially true if you are determining the shelf life of specialty seals as they are integral to the overall function of major machinery. Contact the team at Real Seal today for any of your rubber or sealant needs. 

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