Fluoroelastomer Product Storage and Handling

Fluoroelastomer sheeting is expensive and should be stored in a clean, dry area where it can be protected from punctures or damage by sharp objects, until it is used. The material is extremely inert to damage by weathering or ozone and our company policy has been to give a shelf life for cured sheeting of 5 years from the date of manufacturing. This is an arbitrary number, assigned by our Quality Control Department, with the knowledge that the material will be usable for much longer periods of time. The material can be retested and recertified, if concern over the use of out of date inventory becomes an issue with our customers.

As a general rule, Fluoroelastomer sheet contains no hazardous ingredients and in its vulcanized sheet form poses no handling problems. If subsequent grinding operations are performed on the sheet material, it is imperative that no tobacco products be allowed in the area. The polymer can liberate hydrofluoric acid upon combustion and it is possible that the powdery residue from grinding could contaminate cigarette or pipe tobacco. For more detailed safety information, consult the standard Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which are available upon request for each product.