Why Do Rubber Parts Crack Over Time?
You'd think that anything made of rubber would be fairly indestructible — unless you exposed it to something that was clearly dangerous or deliberately tried to cut through it. However, that's not always the case; cracked and faded rubber parts in machinery are very common, even when you've done your best to take care of the machinery. There are three main reasons why rubber products can crack and become brittle, and all of them are preventable to an extent.
Mechanical Stress (Including Friction)
One reason is mechanical stress. Whether the part is pulled by two other parts or experiences a lot of friction as the machinery around it starts to move, mechanical stress can cause the rubber to wear down over time. The stress doesn't have to be very strong. It doesn't have to yank the product in two immediately. It can be just enough stress to cause the rubber to break down in microscopic bits over time; until one day, you notice a crack forming on the surface of the part because the rubber has been weakened so much.
One way to reduce the chances of this happening is to ensure the rubber parts you use are customized to fit the machinery perfectly. Generic parts may be too big, which will result in too much friction. In contrast, if the parts are too small, there will be extra movement or impacts which could damage the part. For most industrial applications, mechanical stress will be a big problem. Ensuring the parts you use fit well is vital, so using custom manufactured rubber products is a good way to take care of that issue.
Drying Out
Another cause of cracking is that the rubber can dry out. Even though rubber products already seem dry when they're new, they do contain some moisture. Being placed in an environment that is too arid allows what little moisture there is to evaporate. For parts that are indoors, controlling the climate, especially the humidity levels, can help stop these parts from drying out. It's harder to control humidity outdoors, but using a mister or lubrication can help keep the parts in good shape.
Sun and UV Exposure
One more issue is exposure to UV rays in sunlight. UV rays are notorious for causing discoloration and damage to everything from carpet to wood to even painted metal. Rubber is no exception. If you have rubber products that are outdoors, shade them as best you can.
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