What are the environmental requirements for the storage and preservation of rubber belts

In modern industry, rubber belts are widely used in various mechanical equipment and process flows as an important transmission and connection element. Its main functions include transmission, sealing and connection. However, due to the unique physical and chemical properties of rubber materials, the requirements for storage and storage environment are extremely strict to ensure the stability and reliability of its performance.

Importance of temperature control
Temperature is one of the key factors affecting the performance of rubber materials. High temperature environment will aggravate the aging process of rubber, causing it to harden, become brittle, and even lose elasticity. On the contrary, low temperature environment may make rubber materials fragile, significantly affecting their performance. Therefore, the ideal storage temperature of rubber belts should be between 5 and 25°C. According to international standards such as DIN7716, ISO2230 and DIN9088, if rubber belts are stored in a low temperature environment, they should be placed in an environment of 20°C before use, and then gradually heated to room temperature before use to avoid performance loss caused by sudden temperature changes.

Humidity regulation
Humidity also has an important impact on the storage of rubber materials. Too high humidity can cause rubber materials to absorb moisture, which can cause expansion, deformation or mold; while too low humidity can cause rubber materials to lose water, which can cause shrinkage and cracking. Therefore, the storage environment of rubber belts should be kept in the relative humidity range of 40% to 60%, and the humidity should not exceed 70%. At the same time, condensation must be avoided in the warehouse to prevent moisture from eroding the rubber material.

Light protection measures
The destructive effect of light, especially ultraviolet light, on rubber materials cannot be ignored. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light may cause photoaging of rubber materials, resulting in color fading, surface cracking and performance degradation. Therefore, when storing rubber belts, direct sunlight and strong ultraviolet light sources should be avoided. It is recommended to use black plastic bags or sealed containers for packaging to effectively block ultraviolet damage. In addition, applying red or orange paint on warehouse windows or using sunscreen film can further reduce the penetration of ultraviolet rays.

Control of gas environment
The sensitivity of rubber materials to oxygen and ozone requires us to minimize their direct contact with air during storage. Long-term exposure to air will accelerate the oxidation process of rubber and cause material aging. Therefore, the storage of rubber belts should be appropriately packaged, such as winding or storing in airtight containers to reduce contact with the outside air. At the same time, mercury vapor lamps, high-voltage electrical equipment, motors and other equipment that may produce ozone should be avoided in the warehouse to prevent ozone from damaging the rubber material.

Measures to prevent deformation
During storage, rubber belts should be placed in a free state as much as possible to avoid stretching, compression or other forms of deformation. Deformation may cause changes in the internal structure of the rubber material, thereby affecting its performance. Therefore, when storing rubber belts, avoid stacking too high or applying too much pressure. Hollow sealed packaging and other methods can be used to fix the rubber belt to prevent its deformation.