All rubber grades are subject to natural aging that reduces elasticity and raises Shore hardness. Under normal conditions, one can assume that the Shore hardness increases on average by 1° Shore A per year.

This value may rise at higher temperatures. For this reason, we recommend that you inspect the Shore hardness at regular intervals and replace the expansion joints when the value reaches approximately 80° Shore A. 

Assuming a Shore hardness of approximately 60° Shore A, the component lifetime will be 15 to 20 years. Wear and external influences such as UV radiation and ozone damage are also involved here.