Are you bulk-buying Neoprene rubber sheet for your business?
A popular survey on ‘Buyer Behavior’ tells that almost 66% of buyers prefer purchasing products for their daily needs in larger quantities. They believe ready stock helps them handle work emergencies and in times when the market prices get higher.
Bulk buying of Neoprene rubber from recognized Neoprene sheet suppliers is also a common practice among resellers. Since neoprene rubber sheeting is a popular product, it has a regular demand.
What happens after you buy them in large quantities?
Do you often get worried about how to store the stock now? Especially, if you do not have any customers’ queries ready in hand.
Improper storage can lead to premature degradation, warping, or loss of essential properties.
In this guide, we are unveiling the best practices for storing an industrial neoprene rubber sheet, ensuring it remains in optimal condition for future use.
Why Proper Storage of Neoprene Rubber Matters?
Neoprene rubber sheet has supreme resistance against environmental factors. This is why users rely on neoprene rubber sheets in oil and gas facilities in the Gulf countries for optimum output. Nevertheless, too much of anything is not good. Prolonged exposure of Neoprene rubber sheeting with UV, Ozone, or sunlight degrades them.
Some common issues that arise in them include:
- Cracking on the surface or hardening due to extreme temperatures
- Discoloration or surface degradation from UV exposure
- Warping or permanent deformation due to improper stacking
- Loss of flexibility from prolonged exposure to ozone or chemicals.
Does that mean you should stop bulk buying rubber sheets from Neoprene sheet suppliers?
We do not think so! Your neoprene rubber sheet stock will stay in as-it-is condition if you adhere to these guidelines.
How to Prepare the Area Before Storing Neoprene Rubber Sheet?
Experts say that the better you do the groundwork, the more beneficial you will be. In simple words- if you take time and patiently do the necessary preparations, it will ultimately save you from hassles in the long run.
When you are storing a Neoprene rubber sheet- do you really need to prepare for anything? How about you just stack the packaged Neoprene rubber rolls in your warehouse?
Well, you can, unless you want to take the risk of product damage. However, if you do not want to take a chance, prepare the storage area by:
- First, clean the racks where you will be storing the Neoprene rubber sheet rolls. You should also remove traces of chemicals, oils, and grease from the surface of each Neoprene rubber roll.
- Second, ensure the Neoprene rubber sheets are completely dry before you store them.
- Third, check the Neoprene rubber sheeting for any tears, cuts, or surface irregularities before storing. Damaged sections might worsen during storage.
- Fourth and finally, repair minor damages on the neoprene rubber sheets with adhesive or patch kits designed for neoprene materials. Ask your Neoprene sheet suppliers if they can provide you with the damage repairing advice.
Neoprene Rubber Sheeting Storage Guidelines
After you prepare the area, here are the further steps to follow:
Choose a cool-dry area
Neoprene sheets perform well against high and low temperatures when they are in use. You should choose a cool and dry area with ideal temperatures between 10°C and 25°C (50°F and 77°F) for storing the product.
Extreme temperatures can harden the material.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight, especially in the Middle-East countries, is harsh. Sunlight contains UV rays. UV rays break down the rubber compounds, making them lose their flexibility.
Stay Away from Ozone Exposure
Chemical plants and refineries release various pollutants, including VOCs, that contribute to ozone formation. Additionally, Industrial boilers, the burning of fossil fuels in power plants, and operations like drilling, refining, and transportation lead to the emission of Ozone.
Now, if you look back, these are the industries where a Neoprene rubber sheet is mostly used.
Thus, you have to be careful with this while storing Neoprene rubber. To ensure peak performance in Neoprene rubber sheet uses, keep them away from Ozone exposure.
Keep Away the Chemicals
Solvents, oils, acids, and alkali may react with the material, altering the Neoprene rubber sheeting. Therefore, it is better to avoid the chemicals.
Physical Neoprene Rubber Sheet Storage Tips
Now, once you have found the perfect place, this is the last step for you- ensuring ideal physical storage of the products:
Proper Stacking Techniques
Lay the Neoprene rubber sheets flat on a clean, smooth surface to prevent warping or curling. The surface should be free of sharp objects or debris that could damage the sheets.
Also, do not overstack the neoprene rubber rolls. Ideally, you should place the heaviest sheet at the bottom and the lighter ones on the top.
Roll into Smaller Sheets
If your application does not require storing specific Neoprene rubber sheet sizes, roll the bigger sheets into thinner or smaller sheets. You can use a core to retain the shape of the rolls. Furthermore, you can wrap the Neoprene sheets in HDPE or plain plastic roll packs.
Use Vertical Racks or Shelving
Store larger sheets vertically on racks with proper support to avoid bending or folding. Ensure the rack has smooth edges to prevent damage.
Moreover, the shelves should be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the product.
Conclusion
Proper storage of Neoprene rubber sheet keeps the quality of the product intact. If you are a reseller, your customers would obviously expect a ‘brand new’ product from you, no matter when you have bought it from your Neoprene rubber sheet supplier.
Need more such tips? Want the best bulk buy rates? Contact us today!
