Shelf Life Guide Lines

Home // Custom Rubber Compounding // Shelf Life Guide Lines
As a fully integrated manufacturer, Goodyear Rubber is equipped to formulate custom compounds specifically designed for your application.
Rubber Polymer Shelf Life Guide Lines
Common or Trade Name Type of Rubber Polymer ASTM D 1418 Designation ASTM D 2000 Classification Recommended Shelf Life
Silicone Silicone Q FE, GE 20 years
Viton® Fluoroelastomer FKM HK
Nitrile, Buna-N Acrylonitrile-butadiene NBR BF, BG, BK, CH 5 to 10 years
Butyl Isobutylene-isoprene IIR AA, BA
Neoprene/Chloroprene Polychloroprene CR BC, BA
EPDM, EP Rubber Ethylene-propylene EPDM BA, CA
Hydrin Epichlorohydrin CO, ECO CH
SBR Styrene-butadiene SBR AA, BA 3 to 5 years
Natural Rubber Polyisoprene NR AA
Synthetic Polyisoprene Rubber Polyisoprene IR AA
Neoprene blends — — BC
Nitrile blends Acrylonitrile-butadiene NBR BF, BG
MIL-HDBK-695E Definitions
  1. 3.1 Age resistance – Resistance to deterioration in storage by environmental factors, such as heat, light and ozone.
  2. 3.2 Cure date – The date the rubber is fully cured. Two methods in expressing the cure date are as follows:
    • a. Shelf life to a maximum of 3 years. Cure date stated in terms of month of calendar year and the year, i.e., 6-83.
    • b. Shelf life in excess of 3 years. Cure date stated in terms of the quarter of calendar year and the year, i.e., 2Q-83.
  3. 3.3 Acceptance Life – This is the maximum life at the age of acceptance. The age limit at acceptance for hoses and hose assemblies is 32 quarters. See SAE AS1933 for aerospace hoses.
  4. 3.4 Shelf life – The maximum period of time between the cure date and the date the elastomeric product is first removed or unpackaged for installation or fabrication into a component part of a subassembly, assembly, or system.
Recommended Storage Conditions:
  • Store in a cool, dry place with temperature below 75° F
  • Avoid contact with solvents or other fluids
  • Keep away from direct heat or open flames
  • Do not store in direct sunlight
  • Keep away from oxidizing agents, peroxides, chlorine gas etc.
  • Keep products wrapped or sealed to minimize the absorption of moisture
  • Store in a relaxed condition free from tension, compression or other deformation