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.