What causes plastics to break down?

[wishin4fishin]

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find it. All the same feel free to take me down or redirect me.

I tried to post this question up a couple nights ago, and RW had to close her down due to some, well, good-natured albeit borderline inappropriate wisecracks.

So I'm trying to rephrase the question.

A couple nights ago I opened a bag of plastic creature baits and was surprised to find they had started to liquify. There was a liquid goo in 2 or 3 of the bags. They were a Reaction Innovation product stored in my basement in the original bags and were only about a year old. I've never had them in the sun or in a hot vehicle.

What gives?

I have culprit worms that are over 5 years old stored the same way in the same location and they're as good as new.

[roadwarrior]

Very well phrased and the last thread was NOT

your fault. Anyhow, my theory is that the baits

got overheated in transit and partially melted.

8-)

[Big Tom]

We did kind of get that one shut down, huh?  Whoops.

I honestly don't know what was causing your baits to break down.  Hopefully you will get a good answer this time.   ;D

[wishin4fishin]

Very well phrased and the last thread was NOT

your fault. Anyhow, my theory is that the baits

got overheated in transit and partially melted.

8-)

Aaah, my first legitimate response.

Thank you Sensei.

I always turn a keen ear to the man that directed me to Yo-Zuri hybrid on spinning gear. Love that stuff.

[J Francho]

Something must have contaminated the bag.  I've RI baits that are two years old with no issues.

[wishin4fishin]

We did kind of get that one shut down, huh? Whoops.

I honestly don't know what was causing your baits to break down. Hopefully you will get a good answer this time. ;D

No worries. Some of my closest friends today are guys from 8th grade.   ;D

[Raul]

UV exposure ( leaving them baking under the sun ), ozone, extreme dryness or extreme moisture can cause the soft plastics to degradate and break down.

How long they last ? I 've got several bags of plastic baits I purchased more than two decades ago and they are as fresh as the day I bought them.

[Lund Explorer]

I guess I missed the first time, and I'm assuming that was a good thing.

Anyhow, pardon me if I'm going over old ground here.  Did you send them back to the manufacturer?

I don't ever think it hurts to show concern to a company, and they would be the ones who would most likely know if something was wrong, or if there was an external cause.  The only other thing I'd add is that at least an answer from them might save you a few bucks in the long run if it was something external.

[wishin4fishin]

UV exposure ( leaving them baking under the sun ), ozone, extreme dryness or extreme moisture can cause the soft plastics to degradate and break down.

How long they last ? I 've got several bags of plastic baits I purchased more than two decades ago and they are as fresh as the day I bought them.

That's what I don't understand, I bought these and  fished 'em twice on the boat last September. Used two or three, brought 'em home and out 'em in a plastic bin in their original packaging along w/ all my other plastics. No heat, no sunlight. Maybe RW is right, mebbe something happened as they were shipped to the distributor.

All my other plastics are tip top shape.

[NBR]

I worked in the polymer industry for nearly 40 years and some thing had to contaminate the baits or get in the bag. While it could be excessive heat it sounds more like a liquid or gas that is not compatible with the plastic got at them somewhere along the line.

[MMan16]

I had an issue with a plastic it actually bubbled and started to break down. The only thing I could figure happened is the last time I fished them it was raining and water got in the package I drained most of it but not all. So I guess they broke down because of the water. Which seems weird to me.

[River Rat316]

Its more than likely water, if you opened em up and used a couple then resealed there could have been moisture in the bag from humidity, rain, or even just drops from wet hands, a little bit of water will ruin a bag of plastics over time.

I have ran a lot of different tests on hand poured plastics just to see how long they last and water was always the quickest to break them down, sun was next, otherwise I have handpours from 6 years ago from when I was first pouring that are still very good if they are stored clean, dry, and out of sunlight!

[wishin4fishin]

Its more than likely water, if you opened em up and used a couple then resealed there could have been moisture in the bag from humidity, rain, or even just drops from wet hands, a little bit of water will ruin a bag of plastics over time.

I have ran a lot of different tests on hand poured plastics just to see how long they last and water was always the quickest to break them down, sun was next, otherwise I have handpours from 6 years ago from when I was first pouring that are still very good if they are stored clean, dry, and out of sunlight!

Interesting. Yep, I do recall putting a couple back in the bag after a few casts. Maybe that's it.

[moby bass]

That's what I was going to suggest.  I always leave the plastics lying around by themselves for a few days before I put them back in the bag, if i ever do. Sometimes I just put used ones in the tacklebox.