[Boatanchors] Plastic Toothed Belt - Storage

[J. Forster]

Ken Woodside wrote:

> 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.

I agree with all contained in this post,  but also have considered how the
military store belts and other rubber things for long periods of time. We are
all familiar with the paper-foil-plastic packing they use. In general the item
is wrapped in inert paper (I don't know what kind) and then sealed into a bag
that is virtually hermetic with minimum entrapped air. Ths may well be the way
to go also. Home food bag sealers are not very expensive and the bags for them
are very likely made out of pretty inert plastic because they are food approved
by the FDA) Impulse sealers are also available used at reasonable prices and
will seal a wide variety of bag types.

If there are rubber parts that could stick together, a coating of talc without
additives is likely a good idea. I put some talc in a Ziplock bag, add the
item,  shake, and then remove the item for packing in another bag.. Be careful
that you get talc. Some baby powders have cornstarch or the like and I have no
idea of it's behavior. Don't breath in a lot of talc, BTW. I have weather
balloons that are 30+ years old that were stored that way and they are still
fine.

Good luck,
John