Storing spare gaskets

Hi. Has anyone a negative experience storing spare o rings, long term? I'd like to have spares ready in the house in the event of leaks. Do they dry out and deteriorate over time? Do they keep supple, say a number of years in your experience?

 

Hi. Has anyone a negative experience storing spare o rings, long term? I'd like to have spares ready in the house in the event of leaks. Do they dry out and deteriorate over time? Do they keep supple, say a number of years in your experience?

The life of the o-rings will depend upon the type of rubber used. There are more than 20 different types of rubber used for the production of o-rings as they can be used in various applications. If they are made of natural rubber, they will degrade in a few years, just as rubber bands do. Some types of rubber will last for decades. To extend the life of the material during storage, keep it in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Keep them in a sealed plastic bag from which as much air as possible has been removed to minimize oxidation.

 

I usually have some o-rings and gaskets for all sorts of vehicles or equipment around out in the garage. They tend to stay pretty good for a long time. I usually just keep them in the package they came in, keep out of the sun.

 

Thank you. Specifically Fluval. I thought of the possibility of using silicone spray and vegetable oil on the ring and putting in a plastic bag. But I understand there may be an advantage of just letting it sit in the original package.

 

Thank you. Specifically Fluval. I thought of the possibility of using silicone spray and vegetable oil on the ring and putting in a plastic bag. But I understand there may be an advantage of just letting it sit in the original package.

Since you do not know what type of rubber Fluval uses for their gaskets, it is best not to use anything to treat them. A food grade silicone spray should be safe, but I would not use vegetable oil as it will turn rancid as the oil oxidizes and becomes sticky.