What is O-ring?
O-ring is a rubber ring commonly used in sealing devices to prevent leakage of liquid or gas through the connections of machines. It is widely used in industrial fields, such as pipelines, pneumatic systems, and hydraulic systems, mechanical seals, etc.
They are usually made of a highly elastic rubber material and come in different sizes and shapes, depending on their use. The most common O-rings are round, but they also come in square, flat and rectangular shapes.
How does the O-ring work?
Through the extrusion between components, the O-ring stretches and expands, filling the gap between the sealing groove and the sealing surface, forming a tight sealing state to prevent gas or liquid from escaping.
The advantages and characteristics of O-ring
- Low cost, small size, light weight, no need for frequent replacement.
- Has good wear resistance and chemical resistance.
- Easy to install and can achieve the airtight effect.
- Can seal components over a wide range of pressures, temperatures and tolerances.
- Functional failures are easy to identify.
How to choose an O-ring with a suitable material?
Based on conditions such as chemical compatibility, operating temperature, sealing pressure, lubrication requirements, hardness, size and cost, O-ring has multiple material options such as FEPM, EPDM, NBR, and VITON, etc. Each material has different characteristics and application ranges. Users can choose the appropriate O-ring material based on the properties of the fluid or gas to be sealed, the temperature, the pressure and other factors of the use environment.
O-ring care and maintenance
To ensure the normal operation of the O-ring, the joint surface should be cleaned before installation to ensure that the sealing surface is no dust, dirt and other substances that interfere with the sealing effect.
The O-ring is also a consumable item and should be replaced regularly according to usage to ensure its sealing effect.
In addition, when the color of the O-ring becomes darkened, deformed, or inappropriately sized, or cracks or hardening appear on the surface, the sealing effect will be poor and must be replaced immediately to avoid further damage.
The reason why the O-ring is the most versatile sealing element is that it has a simple structure, stable properties, and can meet good sealing requirements at a low cost. If you are looking for an O-ring or other types of sealing elements suitable for your machines and parts, welcome to contact us for a discussion.
You can find the photo display of the CNC machining parts made by us HERE!