In the realm of mechanical components, few forces are as detrimental as heat. This makes it crucial to utilize materials that can endure high temperatures, especially in applications where the impact of heat is significant. O-rings, which are donut-shaped mechanical gaskets constructed from elastomer loops, play a vital role in creating seals between components. Whether… Read more »
Selecting an o-ring vs. gasket will depend on the application. Each is a type of everyday mechanical seal frequently used in machines, motors, engines, piping, pipelines, fixtures, and the like. O-rings and gaskets join and seal parts and components found in these devices to prevent gas or fluid leakage from them.
Nitrile o-rings and seals are the most commonly used o-rings and seals on the market. The popularity of the material is due in large part to its excellent mechanical properties. O-ring seals are a necessity, an integral component found in mechanical devices, equipment, and machines. The familiar doughnut-shaped gaskets are used in a variety of… Read more »
Lubrication of O-rings is essential for the proper function and full-service life of the seal, but also to ensure the machine, motor, engine, or device in which it is placed does not malfunction from a blown seal. A grease or oil application at assembly helps to protect the O-ring from damage during use. An additional… Read more »
The O-ring installation process is vital to the proper function and operation of numerous mechanical devices and applications. Used in many industrial sectors—transportation, aerospace, agriculture, medical, oil and gas, food, plumbing, and electronics to name a few—the familiar circular, ringed-shaped seals are indispensable mechanical components fitted on valves, pipes, pumps, shafts, couplings, and engines, to… Read more »
Viton™ O-rings are a synthetic rubber material regarded for its exceptional fluid resistance and high-temperature applications. Well-known for its durability and versatility, Viton™ is a type of fluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber (FKM) developed for high-performance application in the late 1950s. Today, essentially, Viton™ is the generic name for any type of FKM polymer. The… Read more »
Environmental conditions play a significant role in the effectiveness of O-ring performance. The effects of weather on O-rings and the ozone can easily impact the integrity of the seal, leading to failure. Though the doughnut-shaped rings are well-suited for the most demanding jobs, adverse conditions such as extreme heat or cold, degrees of moisture—wet, rainy,… Read more »
O-Rings are an integral component in most industrial and mechanical systems. Because o-ring material selection is driven by an industrial or mechanical system, that system will define which material is best suited to fulfill the application requirements of the O-Ring. Therefore, the best O-Ring material is the material best-suited for the application. Today, the familiar… Read more »
It might be argued that no other component is more overlooked in fluid power systems than the most crucial one—the O-ring. O-rings are vital to those systems functioning properly. Therefore, having an O-ring installation tool will ensure the proper installation of the O-ring itself. The right O-ring installation tools can help avoid or even prevent… Read more »
O-rings are solid doughnut-shaped seals made of various polymers such as nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorosilcone rubber. O-rings are designed to block the passage of gases and liquids between two mating surfaces. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses for both standard and non-standard sealing applications (learn how to measure… Read more »
