4 Common Questions about O-Rings
1. What is an O-ring?
One might debate that the o-ring is considered a ‘living fossil’ in terms of manufacturing components. The O-ring is the creation of J. O. Lundberg. In 1896, the Lundberg placed a patent in a circular-looped gasket. While it was invented in Sweden, the O-ring has slowly made its way across the Atlantic Ocean. By 1937, the first patent for an O-ring in the United States was placed and produced by Niels Christensen, a professional machinist. Despite their simple structure and the very basic nature of the role they perform, o-rings are still widely used today.
Despite the growing development of modern engineering and constant changes for manufacturing and component designs, o-rings Malaysia still kept more or less the same exact form and function. While some of the materials used in the manufacturing of o-rings have grown to evolve with technology over time, but essentially o-rings remain a beautiful, direct and reliable solution to a problem that was first brought up for over a century ago.
2. What is the Function of an O-ring Seal?
Either sold individually or in big wholesale batches, it is common for one to come across a highly versatile range of o-ring kits, and the basic form and role of o-rings are generally the same across the board.
Their name, as hinted, refers to the shape of a classic doughnut or a torus shape. They exist solely to create a better, more leak-proof seal between two other components. Their aim is to usually used to prevent the unwanted escape of gases of liquids. In this sense, they are effective as a kind of gasket. But the main difference is that o-rings are more commonly used to environments with very high-pressure. Compared to a regular cork, gaskets made of paper or rubber are more likely prone to failure.
O-Rings work by sitting in a groove or channel between two surfaces and/or components that are going to be pushed together or combined together. The o-ring is generally constructed of some form of elastomer, sits in the joint between these two parts, and compresses itself in order to form a tighter seal.
The more internal pressured that is implemented in this joint, the more the o-ring will be distorted inside its groove, this improves the overall sealing force up to a point. However, if the o-ring falls under beyond great pressure or under extreme dynamic workloads, this can result in the failure of the seal. Therefore, it is important to get the right balance between the o-ring material, size and environment of workplace in order to fulfill the role you need the o-ring to perform.
3. What are O-Rings made of?
O-rings are made up of many various materials, each material has its own set of unique properties. Here are some of the most common materials used in producing O-rings:-
- Fluoroelastomer
- Often used in applications where heat is a problem
- Resistant to heat
- Durable
- Long lasting
- Silicone rubber
- Has a soft and spongy design
- Designed and used for the food industry
- Safe and non-toxic
- Ethylene propylene diene monomer
- Not suitable to be used with lubricants or fuels
- Offer strong resistant to moisture, steam, grease and silicone
- Thermoplastic polyurethane
- Has a high level of flexibility and strength
- Resistant to degradation
4. How are O-ring seals manufactured?
- The o-ring manufacturing process is generally direct and straightforward
- The specifics of any given o-ring design and production run are often taken into account required quality, quantity, application environment, cost-effectiveness, chemical and pressure compatibility, longevity and lubrication requirements.
- O-ring manufacturer normally relies on techniques such as compression, transfer or injection moulding, machining, or extrusion.
- high-performance materials used in the production of o-rings can vary from nitrile and silicone rubber to fluorocarbons, and even metal.
- The basic torus-shaped o-rings are familiar and available worldwide
- Produced in other shapes (square-cut, x-shaped, quad rings, etc) for more specific applications as and when required.