Purchasing Resources for Rubber O-Rings

A Guide to Rubber O-Rings

An o-ring is a torus-shaped seal, made from an elastomer or other sealing material. O-rings are designed to be placed between two joined objects, and will prevent leakage. In addition, o-rings are able to withstand a great amount of pressure, and are resistant to a range of temperatures and pressure conditions. These devices can be made from a variety of materials, the most common of which is rubber.

Common Applications of Rubber O-Rings

O-rings are relatively inexpensive, easy to make, and widely available. Therefore, these devises are one of the commonly used seals, utilized in a variety of applications. Many different industries have taken advantage of rubber o-rings, such as aerospace, life science and automotive industries. One common application of rubber o-rings is seen in semiconductors: because of their high pressure and temperature resistance, o-rings are frequently used by many in the industry. In addition, rubber o-rings are also used in vacuum applications, where sealants are needed to prevent gaps within two adjoining surfaces. O-rings are commonly used to fill these gaps, as well as fill irregularities in surfaces.

Components of Rubber O-Rings

O-rings come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The following are the most common components of a rubber o-ring, which can distinguish one from another. When purchasing rubber o-rings, make sure that you understand the various components of the product and whether it suits the needs of your project.

Material:
Generally, rubber o-rings are made from a standard type of material; however, different types of rubber are available, made up of chemical components. One type of material, called nitrile rubber, is a general purpose material that is suited for a number of low pressure applications. Though nitrile rubber possesses high tensile strength and compression resistance, it is not designed for high temperature situations. Each material will have different levels of temperature, pressure, and compression resistance, so make sure you understand your needs beforehand.

Size:
Given the wide range of settings and applications, o-rings are available in an endless assortment of sizes. Some o-rings can be as small as a sixteenth of an inch wide, while larger sizes can be several feet long. The size will have an effect on the strength and the resistance of the o-ring; therefore, make sure that you clearly understand the exact components of an o-ring before use.