Megan,

Historic rubber can deteriorate significantly due to its inherent vice
in being vulcanized. The main deterioration mechanisms are exposure to
excessive UV, light, and elevated temperatures and relative humidity.
Once deteriorated there is little that can be done other than to
attempt to slow the continuing process down by storing and controlling
the environment. A conservator can perform treatments to attempt to
keep the rubber from entirely falling apart but you will never restore
the original flexibility.

Here is an article from the WAAC Newsletter written by Scott Williams,
a senior conservation scientist at CCI.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn24/wn24-1/wn24-102.html

And yes, many of the same conservation "rules" for rubber also apply
to plastics.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, CA

On 10/11/07, Megan Oleksa <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hello!
>
> I have just come across two rubber turnout coats that have become very stiff
> and brittle, as rubber does with age.  Does anyone know if there is a way to
> "un-stiffen" these?  Or better yet, what precautions should I be taking now
> for the other rubber items in our collection that have not yet become
> brittle?  We have not only jackets, but boots and hoses as well.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Megan Oleksa
> Collections Manager
> The FASNY Museum of Firefighting
> 117 Harry Howard Avenue
> Hudson, NY  12534
> www.fasnyfiremuseum.com
> (518) 822-1875 x17
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