Gasket Storage, Shelf and Service Life
Rubber has a shelf life, most of our materials used for gaskets have some rubber component. The shelf life refers to the time the gasket is still usable for service. So, if the rubber is nearing the end of its shelf life, it is still considered suitable for service use. If it has exceeded its shelf life, in order to extend the service life, the gaskets should be re-made.
Storage
Gaskets should be stored in a cool, ambient location, between 4⁰C and 27⁰C Excessive humidity (40% to 75% relative humidity), direct sunlight and any chemical vapours should not be present. Low UV producing lights and minimal dust. These optimum storage conditions can increase a gaskets shelf life significantly.
Material Type and Average Recommended Shelf Life*
| Material Type | Recommended Shelf Life |
| Silicone | 20 years |
| Viton | 20 years |
| Neoprene | 5-10 years |
| EPDM | 5-10 years |
| Butyl | 5-10 years |
| Nitrile | 5-10 years |
| SBR | 3-5 years |
| Natural Rubber | 3-5 years |
| Natural Fibre | 2-5 years |
| Non-Asbestos Fibre | 5-10 years |
*Shelf-life varies for specific materials and shelf-life for specific materials can be requested. This is a general guide.
Non-Asbestos Fibre
Non-asbestos fibre materials are not designed to be stored for extended periods of time. The complex nature of the materials used, reinforcing fibres, rubber binder and filler mean the material is susceptible to storage changes. The fibre component is the most stable but gradually dries out, weathers and deteriorate. The filler is the biggest culprit, the filler optimizes gasket performance however upon manufacture involves an irreversible chemical process which allows for a shelf life of between 5-10 years.
RAM’s Products
RAM has been cutting gaskets and materials for nearly 50 years. In that time material shipping, delivery and manufacturing methods have improved greatly to increase product turnaround and re-ordering of materials Using LEAN principles in our manufacture and ordering of goods allows RAM to store only the optimal volumes of stocked materials.
Material Supply Chain
We cut huge quantities of materials which allows us to turn over our stock material quickly. Specific Batch and Cure dates can be requested when the longest possible shelf-life is required. As companies across the supply chain adopt LEAN principles, lower and more regular order volumes allows for the quality of the products to be maintained.