Natural rubber
The material appliance seals, mats and gloves are made of, and it is attacked from both ends of the chemistry — by solvents and by caustics alike.
What not to do
White spirit is unsafe on Natural rubber
Unsafe
Do not do this. The risk is established, and it is described below.
Evidence
Strongly supported
Sources
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Stoddard Solvent (RTK 1736)
New Jersey Department of Health, 2008 · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That Stoddard solvent attacks plastic, rubber and coatings. (states this directly)
Potassium hydroxide is unsafe on Natural rubber
Unsafe
Do not do this. The risk is established, and it is described below.
Evidence
Supported
Sources
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Potassium Hydroxide (RTK 1571)
New Jersey Department of Health, 2010 · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That potassium hydroxide attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (states this directly)
Sodium chlorite is unsafe on Natural rubber
Unsafe
Do not do this. The risk is established, and it is described below.
Precautions
- Wear gloves
- Wear eye protection
Evidence
Strongly supported
Sources
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Sodium Chlorite (RTK 1689)
New Jersey Department of Health · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That sodium chlorite is not compatible with natural rubber, and with aldehydes, ketones and iron. (states this directly)
Bicycle degreaser should be avoided for Natural rubber
Best avoided
The available guidance advises against this.
Precautions
- Ventilate the area
- Wear gloves
Evidence
Supported
Sources
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Stoddard Solvent (RTK 1736)
New Jersey Department of Health, 2008 · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That petroleum solvent attacks plastic, rubber and coatings. (states this directly)
Park Tool Co. · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That the wheel is leaned so the cogs face the ground to minimise solvent dripping into the bearing. (states this directly)
In detail
Natural rubber is a cross-linked polymer that stays elastic across a wide temperature range, which is why it turns up wherever something must seal, grip or absorb movement: appliance door gaskets, plumbing washers, bath mats, gloves, hoses, trainer soles. It is chemically vulnerable in a way that surprises people, because it feels tough. Two regulator fact sheets name it directly — Stoddard solvent attacks plastic, rubber and coatings, and potassium hydroxide attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings — so a solvent degreaser and a caustic cleaner damage it by different routes. Prolonged acid contact is the third route, and it is the one that reaches domestic appliances: a descaling solution left in contact with a washing-machine or dishwasher door seal for longer than the instructions allow hardens and cracks the rubber, after which the appliance leaks. Rubber also perishes from oxidation, ozone and ultraviolet light on its own timetable, so a seal that has gone hard and shiny has aged rather than been dirtied, and cleaning it will not restore it. The safe treatment across all of these is dull: warm water, a mild detergent, and drying afterwards.
Properties
Sensitivity
- Acids
- Sensitive
- Alkalis
- Sensitive
- Chlorine bleach
- Not known
- Heat
- Sensitive
- Abrasion
- Not known
- Porous
- Not applicable
“Not known” means nobody has established this, not that the material is unaffected.
Why
- Natural rubber is explained by Solvents and polymers
Related
- Natural rubber is commonly affected by Mould
- Natural rubber is commonly affected by Limescale
Hacks and claims involving this
Sources for this page
Sources
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Stoddard Solvent (RTK 1736)
New Jersey Department of Health, 2008 · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That Stoddard solvent attacks plastic, rubber and coatings. (states this directly)
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Potassium Hydroxide (RTK 1571)
New Jersey Department of Health, 2010 · Government or regulator
Relied on for: That potassium hydroxide attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (states this directly)