Does Brake Fluid Eat Rubber?

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Perhaps out of curiosity, you may wish to experiment with brake fluid, o demonstrates its effect on rubber, plastic as well as metal. Of these materials, rubber is the most relevant type of material as the brake fluid seals and other parts of the car are made of rubber.

So, does brake fluid eat rubber? The brake fluid is a chemical compound with reactive constituents which can potentially react with other materials. The brake fluid shows no reaction with rubber of any kind and is completely safe when it comes in contact with the rubber parts of the car.

Technological advancement and constant research by experts ensures that better product arrives on the market now and then. This applies to the types of brake fluid and rubber available today. Reactivity of brake fluid with rubber may depend on the type of rubber as well as the type of brake fluid in question.

Most older rubber auto parts are made of natural rubber. However, over the years, the hydrocarbon chain has undergone various modifications, with the addition of another element to come up with a superior type of synthetic rubber.

One of the fears of owners of cars with older rubber parts is the compatibility of the new age brake fluid with the older rubber seals. Aside from this, there is also worry that interchanging between the use of glycol base brake fluid and the silicon type may cause some form of damage to the rubber seals.

Additionally, concerns about the effect of brake fluid on the tires, whether this can cause the tires to form cracks and if so how can this be remedied? these are part of the issues addressed here in this article. So, sit back and have a joyful reading.

Brake fluid coming in contact with the rubber seals is unavoidable. The seals are virtually at every corner of the brake system and are needed to maintain the integrity of the system and prevent leakage and oxidation.

The brake fluid under normal conditions is completely safe on metal, rubber, and similar material. A viscous chemical reaction is however seen when it comes in contact with painted surfaces and can bore through the paint in a matter of minutes while you watch.

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What type of brake fluid will eat rubber?

There are reported cases of swelling of rubber parts due to brake fluid. However, these cases are not a representation of the normal characteristic of the brake fluid as this does not happen without an explanation.

if I was to guess the type of brake fluid you are using currently in your vehicle, it happen to be the glycol brake fluid. If I am right, then most of your experience is around this type of brake fluid and you may not know much about the others.

You do not however need experience with all types of brake fluid to know that they are all safe on rubber material and have not been shown under normal conditions to cause any form of harm to any type of rubber.

Take note however that this is only under normal conditions. With the deteriorating condition of the brake fluid, the same cannot be promised. As the additive package diminishes, a rise in the level of copper content and other contaminants is noticed, signifying an increasing corrosion activity.

This process happens to all types of brake fluid including the silicon and mineral oil-based types. Therefore, brake fluid that has been stored over a prolonged period is more likely to cause these damages as the additive package may have deteriorated at that point.

While there are various comparisons between the different types of brake fluid, there is no concrete evidence of one outperforming the other except for the different user’s opinions out there. Sometimes, users’ experiences may not be enough as evidence as there may be other conditions influencing such experiences such as environmental conditions and handling.

When the brake fluid is noticed to be leaking, there are steps needed in addressing the problem. Your mechanic is to make a diagnosis of the cause of the leakage and have it sorted out. In the case whereby the seals are discovered to be responsible, there will always be an explanation for this.

If the rubber concern is the tire, the quality of the tire, the condition of the brake fluid, such as those stored over a long period, amongst others may explain the unexpected reason.

What type of rubber is suitable for brake fluid?

Each rubber part of the car is made of a unique type f rubber. Sometimes, plastic parts are confused to be made of rubber. The reaction of brake fluid with plastic is different from that of rubber. It is inert in these two conditions but aggressively discoloration the former.

The conventional rubber type only differs from the synthetic type by certain manipulations done at the level of the hydrocarbon chain. This is to create a more stable, durable, and brake fluid-friendly material.

However, both types of rubber are used freely as seals in the brake system and are unharmed by the brake fluid as long as the brake fluid is in a good state.

The tires also come in contact with the brake fluid as seen when the fluid leaks out or when the brake fluid is intentionally applied to shine it up. This may not be harmful to the tires but will surely leave them looking less appealing after a while due to the dirt it attracts.

As ridiculous as it may sound, there was a time when the brake fluid was suggested to contain constitutes that were effective in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema. At other times, some claimed it had a soothing effect on the skin and therefore useful as first aid in the management of burn wounds.

While its use on the skin in any of the above-mentioned instances is undoubtedly frowned against by every medical practice and does not have the approval of its manufacturers, its use as a cleaning agent for tires may not suffer a such degree of criticism.

It however does not have any damaging effect on any type of rubber in terms of eating up the rubber or causing it to get swollen.

What causes brake fluid to eat rubber?

Cracks can sometimes be seen in tires following the application of brake fluid. This is not a common finding but has been reported a few times. Following a thorough examination and investigation, certain factors were discovered to be responsible for this.

The first is the condition of the brake fluid. Brake fluid with a changed PH, corrosive contamination, and loss of the additive substance can cause cracks, swellings, and others in the rubber.

Stick to manufacturer’s specification as some have reported the use of un-prescribed brake fluid type as part of the reasons for this experience.

Steering fluid should never be used in place of the brake fluid. They do not have the same composition and do not react the same way as rubber or other material.

As the name implies, the steering fluid has no bearing on the brake system and should not be made to play this unassigned role. Whether this is done intentionally or out of negligence, the fluid should be immediately flushed out.

There is no harm when a new type of brake fluid is used in the car. If you belong to the glycol brake fluid users, the silicone brake fluid can also be a good transition as long as it is well within the manufactures recommendation.

The use of brake fluid on dried bushings, as a cleaning agent or for other formulated uses, should be avoided. The ideal washing material for tires is simply soap and water and nothing more. Products advertised as cleaning or shining agents for car tires should be carefully inspected as some are notorious for causing cracks in the tire while others are dust magnets and will require frequent reapplication.

Will brake fluid eat tire rubber?

Sure, tire rubbers are not of the same make as seals or other rubber parts of the car. They are however not harmed in any way by the brake fluid except for some slight discoloration.

The preservative that constitutes the brake fluid is the addictive chemical that keeps it from corroding metallic brake parts. When this wanes or diminishes, terror is unleashed on both the metallic and rubber parts of the brake system.

Similarly, the use of brake fluid in this state on the tire will create the same repercussions. This practice is to be avoided as the perceived benefits of giving the tire a shiny look are only temporary.