Lifespan of Rubber

[Munroast]

Car inner tube rubber - will it deteriorate or rot if left within wet/damp earth ?

I'm thinking the only element that affects rubber would be sunlight, so providing it is in the dark it should last a very long time indeed (decades?)

I know some rubbers ( such as Butyl) is used as pond liners - but inner tube might be a different type of rubber ?

 

[foxhole]

Not really rubber any more , but does not deteriorate ,I use old inner tube cut in section for everlasting rubber bands.

 

[JBR]

Not really rubber any more , but does not deteriorate ,I use old inner tube cut in section for everlasting rubber bands.

Wow, that brings back memories. When I was at school (nearly 50 years ago) the woodwork teachers did that very same thing for us to keep our 'bits of work' together.

 

[EightyTwo]

I've used inner tube to hold roses to posts. it does break but usually where the nails have gone through. It seems to be remarkably stable when left out in the sun - it doesn't go crispy like Post Office rubber bands.

 

[Robert Hayes]

Car inner tube rubber - will it deteriorate or rot if left within wet/damp earth ?

I'm thinking the only element that affects rubber would be sunlight, so providing it is in the dark it should last a very long time indeed (decades?)

I know some rubbers ( such as Butyl) is used as pond liners - but inner tube might be a different type of rubber ?

 

[Robert Hayes]

Good question! Most car inner tubes are made from synthetic rubbers like butyl, which are pretty resistant to moisture, but they can still deteriorate over time when exposed to damp earth. The main factors for rubber breakdown are ozone, microbial activity, and chemical reactions in the soil. If the inner tube is kept dark and dry, it might last a while, but it’s not designed to withstand constant moisture like EPDM or butyl liners used in ponds. So, it could eventually degrade, especially if buried for years.

 

[Munroast]

Not really rubber any more , but does not deteriorate ,I use old inner tube cut in section for everlasting rubber bands.

it is more of a mirco plastic now than rubber

when car and truck tyres wear they leave these microplastics in the enviroment, most of which gets washed into he sea

estimates put he combined weight of all that micro plastic particles from car and truck ttyres at something like 75,000 tons per year, all washed into the sea, apart from the stuff we breath in.

 

[johnny2007]

I've stored bicycle inner tubes for years and they don't degrade.
What degrades them is anything containing solvents like petrol or vaseline.
When I was a young boy I used vaseline as a lubricant to fit tyres to bicycles and inevitably the inner tube would degrade and form micro-holes.
I discovered silicone grease because of this and when fitting any rubber bush to cars or bikes, I use it to protect the rubber.
After 45 years I have just changed the silentblocks on my motorbike and the original ones where deformed but rubber was still perfect.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Lifespan of Rubber.​

Well, as long as it lasts 3 minutes.

Andy

 

[Munroast]

Lifespan of Rubber.​

Well, as long as it lasts 3 minutes.

Andy

1 would get 6 goes out of one of those

 

[foxhole]

Good question! Most car inner tubes are made from synthetic rubbers like butyl, which are pretty resistant to moisture, but they can still deteriorate over time when exposed to damp earth. The main factors for rubber breakdown are ozone, microbial activity, and chemical reactions in the soil. If the inner tube is kept dark and dry, it might last a while, but it’s not designed to withstand constant moisture like EPDM or butyl liners used in ponds. So, it could eventually degrade, especially if buried for years.

12year old post ? You are a bit late .

 

[Munroast]

12year old post ? You are a bit late .

i thought is was far more grown up than that

 

[johnny2007]

I didn't realise either