There are many reasons for seal failure, including long-term storage in less than ideal conditions. Rubber may crack, harden, soften or degrade, making it unsafe for its intended use. Most seals have a widely accepted shelf life, which helps manufacturers prevent catastrophic failures caused by old seals.

Maintaining the seal throughout its intended shelf life requires providing a storage environment free of light, oxygen, ozone and chemicals. Overheating, freezing temperature and physical shock may cause permanent damage to the elastomer and render it unusable. Before installation, be sure to check the elastomer seals to confirm that it is in good serviceable condition. Hardening, softening, stickiness, cracking, and discoloration all indicate possible problems with the seal.

WHAT IS SHELF LIFE?

The shelf life is the longest period of time for a properly packaged seal to be manufactured and put into service. The shelf life varies depending on the type of seal. If the seal is stored beyond its shelf life, even under ideal conditions, it can no longer be used for its intended purpose.

Therefore, we can draw the following rules for storing industrial seals:

• storage temperature must be kept at 25±3 ° C

• storage humidity should be (60±5)%

• there shall be no direct heat source in the storage area

• seals should not be exposed to direct sunlight

• seals must be protected from ozone, oil and solvents and ionizing radiation

• seals must be stored to avoid tensile stress

Shelf Life Recommendation: