The effect of 42 year immersion in sea-water on natural rubber

A study has been made of the physical condition of vulcanized natural rubber retrieved after 42 yr exposure to sea-water at a water depth of 80 ft (24.3 m). Drying experiments show the maximum amount of water absorbed in the 42 yr period to have been less than 5% of the dry rubber mass. No effect of marine life was observed and the physical properties of the rubber were found to be as good as for new rubber moulded to a similar formation.