| Cause | Mechanism | |-------|-----------| | | Attacks double bonds in rubber (especially natural rubber, nitrile, SBR). Causes surface cracks perpendicular to stress. | | UV Light | Breaks carbon-carbon bonds, generates free radicals, leads to surface chalking and cracking. | | Heat | Accelerates oxidation and volatilizes protective plasticizers (Arrhenius behavior: rate ~doubles per 10°C rise). | | Humidity extremes | High humidity can leach antioxidants; low humidity accelerates plasticizer loss. | | Stretching/Stress | Opens microscopic cracks for ozone to penetrate deeper. |
By taking ten minutes a month to clean and protect your rubber components, you can easily double their lifespan, saving you from expensive replacements and mid-job failures. how to keep rubber from dry rotting work
For rubber that must work (vibration dampers, pneumatic hoses, CV boots), you can’t stop the flexing—but you can shield it. | Cause | Mechanism | |-------|-----------| | |
Atmospheric ozone reacts with the chemicals in rubber, causing "ozone cracking." | | Heat | Accelerates oxidation and volatilizes