"rubber" preservation

From: John Foust <jfoust_at_threedee.com>
Date: Mon Apr 8 09:17:58 2002

At 02:14 PM 4/6/2002 -0500, R. D. Davis wrote:
>Quothe Fred Cisin (XenoSoft), from writings of Sat, Apr 06, 2002 at 07:54:40AM -0800:
>> Then turn the large rotary dial the appropriate number of times. When you
>> hear the "carrier tone", place the handset into the cups of the acoustic
>> coupler.
>
>This reminds me, these acoustic couplers may need some periodic
>maintenance, such as putting some talcum powder on the rubber pieces
>that hold the telephone handset.

I've also seen it recommended for refrigerator door gaskets.
What talcum would do to protect rubberized plastic from
deteriorating is a mystery to me. Are we talking about
actual latex in any of these situations? I think not.

I would guess these rubbers harden or goo-ify over time
due to something other than lack of talc, such as long-term
exposure to UV or ozone or absorption of volatiles from
other plastics.

I have an old Anderson-Jacobsen 300 baud modem in a wooden
box that needs a new home, I think...

- John
Received on Mon Apr 08 2002 - 09:17:58 BST