[jonas8732]

Most electronic devices use ABS plastic. How many years does this plastic and rubber in these devices have to wait before they decompose, dry out and become brittle?

Is it possible to prevent this?

I have electronic devices stored in shoe boxes

use once year

 

my home temperature varies 33-35C

[Corribus]

The biggest (and really only) contributor to plastic degradation is UV light. Stored in the dark, these components can last indefinitely. I have Legos (also made of ABS) from practically 50 years ago that are still fine today.

[jonas8732]

any type of UV light? If my room is dark but the room next door receives sunlight, does this UV light bounce off the walls and enter my room, hitting plastic and rubber objects?

my house uses LED lamps

[marquis]

ABS plastic is one thing.  Rubber Is usually quite different.  Typically, rubber is elastomeric and can be made of many different  polymers, additives, and cure agents ( including elemental sulfur).  There are also some plastics, like silicone, that have a rubber like feel.  Needless to say, the number of possible chemicals in rubber is quite long.

Now even with ABS, the list can be long.  There are fillers that can be added as an example.  Also, occasionally, plasticizers are added.  This gives the ABS a more rubber like feel.  And, of course, there are always the preservatives used in all of these products.  So the number of causes of breakdown is long and not always due to the polymer. Yellowing is another aging example.

That's just the start of the list.  Many different polymers show different signs of aging.  Go to a Goodwill store.  Look at some old plastic toys. You will see what I mean. 

[marquis]

As a side note ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. By changing the relative amount of the individual polymers, the characteristic of the total polymer can change over a pretty wide range.  And that's before differences in molecular weight get added in.  Good luck!

[jonas8732]

Is it possible to extend the life of rubber? What type of rubber is used in electronic devices, video game consoles, buttons and joysticks?

Do you have ABS that has a lifespan of 50 years? Are they that durable? I thought they would dry out and become brittle in a few years

[marquis]

Ok, first, there are several types of polymers.  There are thermoplastics, which means you heat them up and they melt, cool them down and they solidify.  Then there are thermoset compounds.  They are usually more fluid at first, but once they are heated and or "cured", they are " set " and no longer melt.  Many overlaps between the two, as well as latex and a bunch of other stuff.

There are standard definitions of runner and plastics types.  EPDM, NR(natural rubber), polyisoprene, neoprene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polypropylene,   and polystyrene.  Thats just the start of the list. But with almost any polymer, it will degrade over time.  Usually, the designer will make a trade off.  They will use a less expensive polymer and increase tensile strength or other properties with additives.  The same with degradation. As an example, If the polymer has double bonds subject to ozone attack, an additive like wax might be added.  It will eventually bloom out of the compound and protect it from ozone.  That is a very ancient example, but you get the idea.

As for the additives or polymers used in video games, sorry, can't help.  My background is pharmaceutical/medical devices.

As for polymers with lifespans of 50 years.  The consumables typically had a shelf life of 2 years.  The parts for the instrument is themselves were much longer.  But when you buy an analytical instrument from a major instrument company, they also will work hard to sell a service package.  This typically is 10% annually of the instrument cost.  In something like a high pressure liquid chromatograph,.parts wear out often.  They have a lot of moving parts. But plastic parts are usually pretty reliable( knock on wood).

[jonas8732]

Is it possible to extend the life of rubber? What type of rubber is used in electronic devices, video game consoles, buttons and joysticks?

[marquis]

The answer is usually "yes".  It takes some re-engineering.  It maybe using the same plastic and just making the parts thicker.  Or it could be using different, more expensive polymers for the parts.  Sometimes, the work has already been done.  If you look on some of the dedicated sites, you will find upgraded parts.  Notice the word " cheaper" was not included in that. 

[marquis]

Now, this is all assuming going about it in normal methods.  There are always new methods possible.  If you choose to explore those, I wish you the best of luck.  Your vocabulary will definitely grow, both in good and bad ways.  If you need help, give a shout.  We will go from there. Best of luck!!!