Familar Signs of Rubber Bellow Fatigue.
Cracking:
Exterior surface cracking is most commonly the result of aging and or elevated temperature. As rubber ages, it becomes hard and brittle and loses inherent flexibility & resilence. Cracking or crazing may not be serious if only the outer cover is involved & the fabric is not exposed. If necessary, repair onsite with rubber cement where cracks are minor. Carefully inspect cracks to determine if underlying fabric reinforcing plies are compromised. Cracking where the fabric is exposed & torn, indicates the expansion joint should be replaced. Such cracking is usually the result of excess extension, angular or lateral movements. Such cracking is identified by (1) a flattening of the arch, (2) cracks at the base of the arch &/or (3) cracks at the base of the flange. Cracking at the base of the flange/arch is more to do with movement & misalignment. Corrective action, measure the face to afce and lateral alignment prior to ordering a replacement and install control units to maintain acceptable movement limits of the expasnion joint during operation