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From time to time, we are asked
how long color or chemical masterbatches can be stored. As you
know, the SBR manufacturers generally recommend that SBR be used
before it is a year old. Other polymers may have an even shorter
"shelf life." Age can adversely affect the quality
of a rubber masterbatch.
AKROSPERSEŽ, AKROCHEX™,
and AKROFORMŽ rubber masterbatches, containing either colors
or chemicals, are stabilized against oxidization of the polymer.
Nevertheless, some colors and chemicals will cause problems on
aging when in the masterbatch form. We have noted masterbatches
of our manufacture that are three years old and still in good
condition. However, we have also encountered dispersions, less
than one year old, that had become stiffer and harder and/or
had an oxidized surface. Such a condition may effect the utility
of the masterbatch rendering it unsatisfactory for its intended
use.
Our advise to all users of color
or chemical masterbatches is to store them in a dry place, away
from any heat or ozone source.
We recommend that AKROSPERSE,
AKROCHEX, or AKROFORM masterbatches be used within nine months.
Any material older than that should be evaluated before being
used. It probably will prove to be a satisfactory dispersion,
even after nine months, but it should be tested and discarded
if it is not.
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