Does Rubber Have an Expiration Date?

As they age, rubber seals and molded products can undergo detrimental changes to their physical properties and become unusable due to excessive hardening, softening, cracking, crazing, or other surface degradations.

The physical properties (tensile strength and modulus, elongation, resilience, compression set, etc.) that make rubber products useful are particularly sensitive to degradation by age and environmental factors. Proper storage of rubber products is essential to maintaining their integrity and performance. To maximize the efficacy and shelf life of elastomers, we recommend following these guidelines:

Storage

• Temperature Store between 40°F–77°F (5°C–25°C). Avoid extreme heat or cold.
• Humidity Keep relative humidity below 75% to prevent degradation.
• Light Exposure Avoid direct sunlight and UV radiation. Use opaque or UV-resistant packaging.
• Oxygen & Ozone Exposure Store away from electric motors, fluorescent lights, and ozone-generating equipment.
• Chemical Exposure Protect components from solvents, oils, and corrosive chemicals.

Handling and Packaging

• Original Packaging Keep elastomers in sealed bags or containers to prevent contamination.
• Compression and Stress Avoid storing rubber components under tension or compression to prevent deformation.
• FIFO (First-In; First-Out) Use older stock first to prevent excessive aging.

By following these guidelines, you can maximize the lifespan and performance of your elastomeric components. The table above shows the estimated shelf life of some commonly-used elastomers.

At Archer Advanced Rubber Components, our materials experts have established rigorous practices to protect both raw materials and finished goods from harmful environmental degradants. We hope you’ll find this information helpful.

For more information or specific material recommendations, please contact your Archer Advanced Rubber representative.