Maintenance and care of rubber products
Maintenance and Care of Rubber Products: A Practical Guide to Extending Service Life Rubber products are widely used in industrial transmission, sealing protection, shock absorption, and anti-slip applications. The advantages of rubber include good elasticity, wear resistance, and ease of processing, but it is also susceptible to aging due to temperature, ultraviolet light, ozone, oils, chemical media, and long-term stress. Proper daily maintenance can significantly extend service life and reduce downtime and replacement costs. 1. Common Causes of Rubber Aging High temperatures and thermal cycling: Prolonged high temperatures can accelerate hardening and cracking; repeated thermal fluctuations 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 strength reduction. Prolonged stretching, squeezing, and friction: Can lead to 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 In dry dusty environments: Use a soft brush or dry cloth to clean surface dust, avoiding secondary wear from sand particles. In oily environments: Wipe with a neutral detergent, then rinse with water/wet cloth and dry. Avoid using strong acids, strong bases, gasoline, or other strong solvents for direct cleaning (unless materials are explicitly compatible). Recommendation: After cleaning, keep dry to avoid long-term moisture leading to rust or mold affecting adhesion. 3. Storage and Transport: Control "Light, Heat, Pressure, Ozone" Storage Environment: Cool, dry, and 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 heavy pressure deformation: Rubber sheets/pads should not be pressed under heavy objects for long periods; rolled materials should avoid flattening the core. Prevent contact with chemicals: Oils, solvents, and corrosive liquids should be stored separately. 4. Key Points for Use and Installation (Common for Different Products) Rubber Sheets/Pads Clear sharp objects and sand from the base before laying to avoid local piercing or wear. Cut with a sharp tool in one go to avoid pulling and tearing edges. Keep anti-slip textured surfaces clean; oil contamination can significantly reduce friction and requires more frequent cleaning. Rubber Seals/Pads Pre-installation checks: Look for burrs, scratches, or gaps; ensure sealing surfaces are clean and flat. Avoid excessive pre-tightening: Over-tightening can lead to extrusion, edge cutting, or permanent deformation; install according to recommended torque. Ensure compatibility with media: For example, oil resistance suggests choosing NBR, ozone/weather resistance can choose EPDM, depending on specific working conditions. Transmission Belts (such as V-belts) Tension: Too loose can cause slippage and heating, too tight can damage bearings and belts; adjust according to equipment manuals. Clean wheel grooves: Oil, rust, or debris in the grooves 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 new and old belts. 5. Regular Inspections: Use "Phenomena" to Determine Replacement Needs It is recommended to establish a regular inspection frequency (e.g., weekly/monthly), focusing on: Surface cracking, powdering, hardening (noticeable hardness change/loss of elasticity) Abnormal swelling, stickiness, softening (often related to incompatible media or excessive temperature) Edge tearing, delamination, localized gaps Permanent deformation (indentations that do not rebound, significant uneven thickness) Abnormal operation (belt noise, slippage, significant temperature rise)…
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