[Boatanchors] Plastic Toothed Belt - Storage

[Ken Woodside]

As a chemist, I can report that this is a very complex
topic! I am not an expert in this area of chemistry
but am a survivor of storing rubber bands for long
periods of time without degradation. When stored
without protection from the atmosphere, rubber bands
sometimes become brittle, sticky or both, indoors.
When sealed in a container they retain their original
condition for at least 8 years. I have had the same
experience with balloons. 
Clearly, isolation from the environment keeps the
material from reacting with airborne reactants of
which I do not know the identity. An expert in the
field would know this. What I do know is that rubber
is attached by sulfur compounds, solvents and
ultraviolet light. Synthetic rubbers will be attacked
by countless plasticizers.
When we use the term "rubber", we may be talking about
numerous natural or synthetic chemical compounds. Each
compound will have a unique set of chemicals that will
attack it.  If we broaden the class of compounds even
further, to include other synthetic elastomeric
compounds we may be talking about scores of different
materials each with a unique chemical identity. AGAIN
EACH ONE WILL BE ATTACKED BY A UNIQUE SET OF CHEMICAL
COMPOUNDS.
So we have on our hands a very complex issue.  If we
took this question to an expert(and I do not even know
one, despite working near and around issues like this
for years) the first question they would ask is: What
is the chemical identity of the subject belt? The
manufacturer of the belt would know, but we can assume
they are unavailable or unable to provide this
information and if they did it would be suspect
anyway, because this type of trade secret is often
protected. They would not want their competitor to
have the true identity of the belt material, for fear
that the competitor would  market a belt themselves in
competition with them or otherwise use it against them
in the market.
Our expert would not be able to assist us unless the
belt's chemical identity was known. Can you determine
the chemical identity of the belt by chemical testing?
Sure, by using belt material (no doubt numerous belts
worth) in a battery of well organized analytical
chemical tests.  Very time consuming and VERY
EXPENSIVE... Not recommended here. 
The term 'nylon' is suggested as the material, but it
is doubtful because it is not known to be very
elastomeric. It is likely a synthetic elastomer
material.
If the rare belts were mine I would: 1. Do not leave
them in the equipment when it is not in use. Installed
in the equipment they are subject to continuous
chemical attach from atmospheric contaminants. 2. If
spares are available I would not put anything on them
any like oils, etc. 3. I would store them in a clean
glass container with a virgin lid. A "canning jar"
with a new sealing top would be best. 4. Store them
indoors and away from excess heat or sunlight.
Hope this helps - sorry about the bandwidth! 
- Ken WB8EQO 

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