Maintenance and Care of Rubber Products

1. Common Aging Causes of Rubber Products

• High Temperature and Thermal Cycling: Prolonged high temperatures can accelerate hardening and cracking; repeated changes in temperature can lead to fatigue.
• Ozone and Ultraviolet Light: Outdoor or high-ozone environments can easily cause surface micro-cracks.
• Oil/Solvent Erosion: Incompatible media can cause swelling, softening, adhesion, or a decrease in strength.
• Long-term Stretching, Compression, and Friction: Can result in permanent deformation, wear, or localized cracking.
• Moisture and Contaminants: Water, dust, and metal shavings can accelerate wear and corrosion at mating surfaces.

2. Daily Cleaning: Simple but Crucial

• Dry Dust Environment: Use a soft brush or dry cloth to clean surface dust, avoiding secondary abrasion from sand particles.
• Oil Contaminated Environment: Wipe with a neutral detergent, then rinse with clean water/wet cloth and dry thoroughly.
• Avoid Using: Strong acids, strong bases, gasoline/paint thinner, and other strong solvents for direct cleaning (unless the material is explicitly compatible).

Recommendation: Keep dry after cleaning to avoid long-term moisture leading to rust at mating surfaces or mold growth affecting adhesion.

3. Storage and Transportation: Control "Light, Heat, Pressure, Ozone"

• Storage Environment: Cool, dry, and well-ventilated; avoid direct sunlight and high-temperature heat sources.
• Keep away from ozone sources: Such as motor brushes, ozone generators, high-voltage electrical equipment, etc.
• Avoid deformation from heavy pressure: Rubber sheets/pads should not be pressed by heavy objects for long periods; rolls should avoid being flattened.
• Prevent contact with chemicals: Oil, solvents, and corrosive liquids should be stored separately.

4. Key Points for Use and Installation (Applicable to Different Products)

Rubber Sheets/Rubber Mats

• Before layingRemove sharp objects and gravel from the base to avoid local punctures or wear.
• CuttingUse a sharp knife to cut through in one go, avoiding pulling or tearing the edges.
• Anti-slip textured surfaceKeep clean; oil stains will significantly reduce friction and require more frequent cleaning.

Rubber Seals/Gaskets

• Check before installation: Check for burrs, scratches, or gaps; ensure the sealing surface is clean and smooth.
• Avoid excessive pre-tightening: Over-tightening can cause extrusion, cutting edges, or permanent deformation; install according to the recommended torque.
• Medium compatibility matching: For example, for oil resistance, NBR is recommended; for ozone/weather resistance, EPDM can be selected, depending on the specific working conditions.

Drive Belts (e.g., V-belts)

• Tension: Too loose will cause slipping and heating, too tight can damage bearings and belts; adjust according to the equipment manual.
• Wheel groove cleanliness: Oil, rust, or debris in the wheel groove can affect friction and lifespan.
• Group replacement: When multiple belts are used in parallel, it is recommended to replace them as a group to avoid uneven stress due to inconsistencies between old and new.

5. Regular Inspections: Determine Replacement Needs Based on "Phenomena"

• Surface cracking, powdering, hardening(Noticeable change in hardness/elasticity decrease)
• Abnormal swelling, stickiness, softening(Often related to medium mismatch or excessive temperature)
• Edge tearing, delamination, local notches
• Permanent deformation(Indentations that cannot rebound, significant uneven thickness)
• Abnormal operation(Belt abnormal noise, slipping, significant temperature rise)

When the above issues occur, prioritize checking the working conditions (temperature/media/tension/assembly) before deciding to replace materials or structures.

6. Common Misunderstandings

• "The thicker, the more durable": Thickness needs to match the working conditions; being too thick may lead to installation difficulties, stress concentration, or inability to fit.
• "All rubber is oil-resistant": Different rubber materials have vastly different resistance to media; selection should be based on the actual media.
• "If it cracks, it can still be used": Cracks in seals can lead to leaks and safety risks, while cracks in transmission components can cause sudden breakage and downtime.

7. Conclusion: Correct Selection + Correct Use = Longer Lifespan