Durability of oil-based caulking compound and rubber gaskets applied in panel joints of the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Abstract

Deterioration of aged oil-based caulking and rubber gaskets that had been used for sealing in the joints between wall panels of the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station was studied. As for oil-based caulking, tack and penetration measurements were carried out. The caulking turned from flexible to brittle in mechanical property by degradation. Fortunately, no water leakage from the joints was reported in the service period of the building though the material had not severely moved by rigid structural design. As for rubber gaskets, appearance observation, tensile and hardness tests were carried out, they keep at good level in mechanical property, however severe cracks occurred on their surfaces, and they were judged to have reached the limit of their useful lifetimes.