Lack of use, exposure to extremely high or low temperatures, or prolonged exposure to UV radiation can all cause rubber's molecular chains to break down over time — and time itself is a factor, too. Rubber is one polymer that just doesn't last forever, and its descent into decay begins the moment it's manufactured.
How do you keep rubber from dry rotting?
How to Keep Rubber From Cracking
- Store rubber at room temperature.
- Avoid exposure to UV light.
- Wash rubber with gentle cleaners.
- Keep conditioning to a minimum to restore softness.
- Store rubber objects in airtight containers.
What happens when rubber dries out?
Curing rubber begins a cross linking process which is accelerated with heat during manufacturing. After processing the rubber continues to "cure" at a much slower rate, but it will eventually harden into a brittle inflexible material. This is what happens to old tires that is usually called "dry rot", a misnomer .
