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did you know?
The failing rubber o-ring seals that contributed to the cause of the Challenger disaster were thought to have cooled below their critical temperature. The disaster happened on an unusually cold day.
About Rubber
Limitations of Rubber
All elastomers have fundamental physical properties that lead to certain engineering limitations. The main weakness with organic rubber (unlike silicone rubber) is its moderate resistance to environmental damage by heat, light and ozone.
Also, when cooled below the a certain temperature rubber abruptly loses its elastic properties becoming very brittle and breaking into shards when struck (though the process is reversible). This is a property it shares with many elastomers. (This critical temperature is the reason that winter tyres use a softer version of rubber than normal tyres.)
Finally, some rubbers are prone to "fluid uptake" whereby fluids dissolve on the surface of the rubber and then diffuse into the interior causing the rubber to swell and soften.
Of course, Primasil material technologists are aware of all the factors relevant when choosing the best compound for your product, and will work closely with you to achieve the optimum material.