O Ring Company Explains Chemical Resistance of Rubber Seals

What are some characteristics of Teflon rings?

An important part for machinery of various types, the O Ring Company provides security in many procedures. Even hidden in our eyes, these parts play a big role in our lives, from appliances, engines, industry in general and more. Furthermore, its function is to avoid, as much as possible, the possible leaks of a machine. Hence, they can cause small losses to major disasters. So today we are going to deal with the hydraulic cardboard joint.

What are the characteristics of rubber O rings?

Manufactured without asbestos this type of gasket is common in all segments of the industry, in pipe flange seals or equipment such as valves, pumps etc.

Its base is composed of different fibers with reinforced loads and other materials stable at high temperatures, connected with elastomers, through a different process of mixing and calendaring. Therefore, its specific characteristic occurs according to fiber and elastomer.

With regard to the types of cardboard existing in this composition, the O Ring Company presents solutions with aramid fiber and hypalon.

• aramid fiber and NBR
• Carbon fiber / NBR graphite
• cellulose fiber and NBR
• inorganic fiber and NBR.

How to choose the best hydraulic ring?

But, among these options, how to choose the best hydraulic cardboard joint model, considering temperature, working pressure and chemical reliability?

Industrial gaskets and o-rings are essential elements of many mechanical devices. Moreover, their full efficiency is essential for maintaining the performance of the kinematic mechanism. Similarly, they are common here. But are we sure of their compatibility with the fluids they intercept?

What are the risks of a change in their mechanical properties due to chemical incompatibility with synthetic oils? How do the structural properties change during contact in operation?

In this article we will talk about:

• the role of O Ring Company seals in mechanical devices
• how incompatibility between lubricants and o-rings occurs
• how to choose the most suitable lubricant according to the chemical composition of the tires

At the end of the article it will be possible to download a guide to check if the lubricating fluid you are using is compatible with the sealing elements present in your project.

First, know the flange joint configurations and their applications.

Generally, most sealing failures occur when there is no correction:

• irregular pressures on the contact surfaces;
• the relaxation caused by tension and the loss of torque in the fixing screws;
• temperature variation.

O-rings and sealing rings

The gaskets are common wherever it is necessary to separate two phases of different nature in all possible combinations: liquid, solid and gaseous. There is a multitude of dimensional variations and shapes. For simplicity and practicality we will bring the analysis back to two essential types:

• O-ring: It is an elastomer ring with circular section; furthermore, it creates a sealing gasket. This compression, added to that of the fluid, increases with the increase in pressure, helping to improve the sealing effect.

• Sealing ring: Separation element common for mostly dynamic applications, with the purpose of preventing the leakage of fluids, limiting the coefficient of friction and wear of the sliding parts.

Focus on O Ring Company material selection

After determining the overall environment in which the joint will work, O Ring Company material selection is the next step. Similarly, we list below the four main materials used in the manufacture of joints and their general benefits:

Contact with lubricating fluids, because they lubricate a sealing element

Generally, The gaskets can perform their function in two ways:

• Static: does not foresee sliding of the seal on the counter-body in friction. The function is limited to protecting the device from any external contamination. Dust, fluids of different nature and gases that could accelerate the reduction of the functionality of the component in which they operate.
• Dynamic: The separation requirements are the same. But they are accomplished in a context of relative sliding between the gasket and the counter-body.

In both cases the seals can come into contact with a lubricating fluid in the following way:

• Direct: if the application of the fluid serves to increase the performance of the device, it is necessary to reduce the friction coefficient and mechanical wear.
• Indirect, if the function is to separate a fluid, such as for sealing rings inserted on the shaft of an oil-lubricated gearmotor, or in a hydraulic shock absorber.

 Which lubricant to choose for  ring? What chemical composition?

Each contact between elastomer and lubricating fluid comes by a chemical interaction, more or less important. Moreover, the evident effects on the O Ring Company can be distinguished in

• Swelling: incorporation of the base oil and its components in the rubber matrix.
• Contraction: migration of components from the rubber to the lubricating fluid.

Talking to a O Ring Company design engineer

Here’s a tip from the most important in this article: you need the advice and support of a trained engineer at each stage throughout the project. With this specific information, the partner engineer will correctly design the best seal for your application, as needed.

Domestic

The extensive use of slow-closing mechanisms in modern homes means that there is a high demand for seals specialized in damping systems. Typically, we use it for sliding drawers and cupboard doors, frame gaskets. And seals offer a versatile solution as they are designed to fill the space between touching surfaces under compressive conditions.

But what are the most used rubber seals? Let’s see together which those that play a primary role are:

What are rod seals?

These are seals that help prevent hydraulic fluid from escaping from the cylinder that goes from the inside to the outside. This type of rubber O Ring Company must be particularly resistant not only to strong pressure. But it should also to high temperatures to ensure its correct functioning. In addition, rod seals must be easy to install and have a low level of fiction.

Scraper rings: This type of rubber gasket is mainly common to prevent and prevent small particles of dust, dirt and humidity from entering the hydraulic system. And it causes damage inside the circuit itself. On the market you can find a wide variety of scraper rings just choose the one that best suits your needs.

O-ring seals: As the name indicates, they are rubber seals in the shape of a ring. It mostly serves to function as a seal or gaskets between two or more metal components that are present in the hydraulic circuit.

X-ring seals: They differ from other rubber seals first of all for their X-shape. Then they guarantee a seal, wear and a lower compression and at the same time there is less energy dispersion.

Piston seals: These are the rubber seals that are common to prevent pressure from developing inside the hydraulic system. And at the same time fluid can escape from the cylinder head.

Conclusion

Obviously, O Ring Company makes different types of o-rings with different materials. The ring must match your application. The silicone seal ring is undoubtedly one of the most common elements today, and with good reason. Inexpensive, effective and simple to use, the silicone ring is a sealing industry standard with a multitude of potential applications.

Are you looking for FDA compliant sealing solutions or materials that can withstand extremely high or low temperatures? Contact our team of experts to receive an optimized and customized solution based on your machinery-industrial requirements.