The question, “What is TPO roofing versus EPDM roofing?” is not an uncommon one asked in the commercial roofing industry. The short answer is that there are two kinds of synthetic rubber roofing membranes used widely in commercial roofing systems to seal roofs. Which material is better is another question, with the application of one… 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 »
Proper rubber testing is crucial to avoid catastrophic gasket failure or seal failure during the operation of heavy-duty manufacturing and industrial applications. Rubber components are, in general, known for their durability, elasticity, strength, and reliability. Today, the vast majority of rubber products are made of elastomeric polymers, synthetic compounds that hold similar properties as natural… Read more »
Due to the diverse application requirements, sealing solutions for the oil and gas industry presents a number of unique challenges that are arguably not found in other industries. Oil and gas industrial processes encompass an entire supply chain consisting of upstream, midstream, and downstream production concerned with exploration and extraction, transportation, storage, and refinery of… 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 »
In the manufacturing of rubber products, Quality Control (QC) is increasingly essential for producing high-quality parts. Rubber manufacturers utilize QC as a quality management system to ensure their products meet or exceed customer satisfaction first and cost-effectively improve production and efficiency continually. Where QC was once designed to focus almost entirely on customer expectations, which… 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 »
