MIL-HDBK-695 Rubber Products: Recommended Shelf LifeThis handbook provides guidance for establishing time periods for the expected life of elastomeric products during shelf storage. The use of the expected shelf storage lives listed herein is NOT MADE MANDATORY by this handbook. This handbook is for guidance only and cannot be cited as a requirement. The decision as to whether or not a product will have a limit placed upon the time that it may remain in storage is a function of the agency responsible for the products ultimate use.

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MIL-HDBK-695E

TABLE I. Age resistance generally associated with products fabricated from various rubbers.

Type of Rubber 1/

Common or

Trade Name

ASTM D1418

ABBREVIATION

20 Years Minimum

Silicone

Fluorosilicone Polysulfide Fluorocarbons Polyacrylate Perfluorocarbon

Isobutylene/Isoprene

Ethylene/propylene/diene

Ethylene propylene

Silicone

Silastic LS Thiokol Fluorel, Viton Acrylic KALREZ

Butyl

Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer

Ethylene propylene copolymer

Q FVMQ

T FKM

ACM, ANM FFKM

IIR

EPDM EPM

15 Years Maximum

Butadiene/acrylonitrile

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Polychloroprene

Nitrile, NBR

Hypalon

Neoprene

NBR

CSM CR

5 Years Maximum

Polyester urethane 2/

Polyether urethane

Urethane

3 Years Maximum

Butadiene/styrene

Cis 1, 4, polyisoprene

SBR

Natural, pale crepe

Synthetic natural

SBR

NR IR

1/ Table I lists types of rubber used in end items that are actively procured. See Table V for rubber types listed in previous revisions.

2/ Some polyester urethanes have very poor resistance to water and humidity.