"(PeteCresswell)" wrote:

Seeing maybe fifty rental dry suits hanging up in the shop, I asked the guy
there what kind of life he gets out of a set of seals and what they do to
mitigate wear.

The reply was "at least 5 years" and "nothing except rinse in plain water".

Yes, rinsing in water is the next best thing to 303. I still think
303 has an advantage because it makes the latex slippery. Note that
most gaskets are torn when you get into your suit.

In the case of rental gear, you've gotta wonder how many times a year
the suits get rented. Probably not as much as I wear my drysuit.

Per Bill Tuthill:
In the case of rental gear, you've gotta wonder how many times a year
the suits get rented. Probably not as much as I wear my drysuit.

OTOH, on my old Bare Polar - which I retired to hanger in a closet after moving
to a Kokatat bag suit - the seals definitely didn't last 5 years, even in the
dark of the closet. The rubber just sort of melted.

I guess there are other factors, even in an inside storage area - like ozone,
temperature, and so-forth. Also, maybe the Bare's seal would still be with us
if I'd washed it thoroughly before hanging it up...
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per Bill Tuthill:
In the case of rental gear, you've gotta wonder how many times a year
the suits get rented. Probably not as much as I wear my drysuit.

OTOH, on my old Bare Polar - which I retired to hanger in a closet after moving
to a Kokatat bag suit - the seals definitely didn't last 5 years, even in the
dark of the closet. The rubber just sort of melted.

That can happen. Latex seals that are allowed to fold over themselves
can stick together, too.

I guess there are other factors, even in an inside storage area - like ozone,
temperature, and so-forth.

Ozone is definitely an issue with latex, but I don't think temp matters
much except perhaps if it's extremely hot.

Also, maybe the Bare's seal would still be with us
if I'd washed it thoroughly before hanging it up...

Perhaps, but I rinse my dry suit, dry tops and dry glove after every use
and the seals still only last 3 years or so.

Per Brian Nystrom:
Perhaps, but I rinse my dry suit, dry tops and dry glove after every use
and the seals still only last 3 years or so.

That brings me back to a strong suspicion that I got hosed when I bought my new
Kokatat dry top a couple months ago. The seals are date-stamped "Nov 2004".
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per Brian Nystrom:
Perhaps, but I rinse my dry suit, dry tops and dry glove after every use
and the seals still only last 3 years or so.

That brings me back to a strong suspicion that I got hosed when I bought my new
Kokatat dry top a couple months ago. The seals are date-stamped "Nov 2004".

That sounds like an '05 garment to me.

Per Brian Nystrom:
That brings me back to a strong suspicion that I got hosed when I bought my new
Kokatat dry top a couple months ago. The seals are date-stamped "Nov 2004".

That sounds like an '05 garment to me.

Probably... but the seals were still over two years old before I even took it
out of the box.
--
PeteCresswell

Dear Brian Nystrom:

Brian Nystrom wrote:
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
....
I guess there are other factors, even in an inside storage
area - like ozone, temperature, and so-forth.

Ozone is definitely an issue with latex, but I don't think temp
matters much except perhaps if it's extremely hot.

Any chemical reaction is speeded up by temperature (double rate with 10
C deg rise). Ozone is universally present in some concentration. As
are the crosslinkers built into the latex (and the "scissioners"
produced by natural radiation and / or humidity).

Temperature, ozone, and humidity are used to artificially age natural
and artificial rubber goods.

Colder and dryer is better, for storage.

David A. Smith

dlzc wrote:

Colder and dryer is better, for storage.

That's why I keep my gear in a dehumidified basement that's between 50
and 70 degrees year round.

Dear Brian Nystrom:

Brian Nystrom wrote:
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
....
I guess there are other factors, even in an inside storage
area - like ozone, temperature, and so-forth.

Ozone is definitely an issue with latex, but I don't think temp
matters much except perhaps if it's extremely hot.

Any chemical reaction is speeded up by temperature (double rate with 10
C deg rise). Ozone is universally present in some concentration. As
are the crosslinkers built into the latex (and the "scissioners"
produced by natural radiation and / or humidity).

Temperature, ozone, and humidity are used to artificially age natural
and artificial rubber goods.

Colder and dryer is better, for storage.

David A. Smith

Bill Tuthill wrote:
"(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
Seeing maybe fifty rental dry suits hanging up in the shop, I asked the guy
there what kind of life he gets out of a set of seals and what they do to
mitigate wear.

The reply was "at least 5 years" and "nothing except rinse in plain water".

Yes, rinsing in water is the next best thing to 303. I still think
303 has an advantage because it makes the latex slippery. Note that
most gaskets are torn when you get into your suit.

You can make the suit easier to put on simply by powdering the inside of
the seals with talc.