O-rings are disc or donut-shaped gaskets which can be used in dynamic or static applications. They are also referred to as packing joints. The seal compresses between the two machinery components and prevents the loss of fluid or gas. The rings are easily manufactured, relatively cheap, and dependable, making them the most common seals used in machinery worldwide.
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Leading Manufacturers
Arizona Sealing Devices, Inc.
Chandler, AZ | 480-892-7325Since 1989, we have been an o-ring distributor. We offer commercial, FDA, military, metric o-rings, caps, plugs, gaskets & more. Custom, rubber o-rings, metal o-rings, diaphragms, face seals and non-standard o-rings are also offered.
Allied Metrics Seals & Fasteners, Inc.
Naples, FL | 973-383-2487A leading o-ring manufacturer of quality metric seals for industries worldwide, defines Allied Metrics Seals & Fasteners. We offer FDA-approved elastomers, Teflon® seals, o-rings & much more. Choose from o-ring sizes, metal & plastic o-rings, o-ring kits, o-ring seals, silicone o-rings, EPDM o-rings, static o-rings, etc. Call/visit our website for more information about our products & services!
RD Rubber Technology Corporation
Santa Fe Springs, CA | 562-941-4800RD Rubber Technology Corp is an ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100:2016 certified and ITAR registered company. We offer compression, transfer, injection and Liquid Injection molding, rubber to metal bonding, engineering support, tooling design, machining and more. Our customers rely on us to give them the best possible production o-rings. From aerospace to medical, food processing to military applications we build trust by being responsive to your needs.
Kent Rubber Supply Co.
Grand Rapids, MI | 616-538-4970Kent Rubber Supply has been a trusted supplier of o-rings since 1946. Focusing in exceeding customer service, we leverage the best equipment and the most knowledge staff to ensure we meet our customers unique needs. With our trusted experts, we determine the best rubber, foam, sponge or PVC material for your specific need. We continue serving customers both offshore and domestic.
Sealing Devices Inc.
Lancaster, NY | 716-684-7600Sealing Devices is a leading North American distributor & fabricator of o-rings, gaskets, seals, adhesives and EMI shielding for industrial, aerospace, medical and military applications.
Atlantic Rubber Company, Inc.
Littleton, MA | 800-882-3666Atlantic Rubber, an o-ring manufacturer, can satisfy your needs for quality precision o-rings that meet ASTM, SAE, AMS, AS568, JIS, Metric or other specific requirements. Choose from static o-rings, metal o-rings, o-ring kits, plastic o-rings & more.
How O-Ring Seals Function
O-rings seal through a mechanical deformation that creates a barrier through which a fluid may leak. They are inserted into a groove between two surfaces or molded to one surface to be sealed.
The rings are made of rubber, letting them compensate for any dimensional variations in the mating parts. When tightly secured, the seals form a water and airtight barrier, which blocks leakages and escaping of contents from in between the joined parts.
Types of O-Ring Seals
O-rings are a common part of many day-to-day applications.
Nitrile O-Rings
Nitrile O-rings are a general type of O-rings. They offer a fairly respectable temperature range of -58 °F to 248 °F (-50 °C to 120 °C), with a high tensile strength that resists tears and damage.
Silicone O-Rings
Silicone rings can withstand higher temperatures than nitrile rings, ranging from -148 °F to 572 °F (-100 °C to 300 °C). They offer greater flexibility and are ideally used in water and steam because of their toughness. However, this type is prone to tear and abrasion damage.
Viton O-Rings
Viton O-rings are also known as FKM O-rings and are manufactured from fluorocarbons. They have a greater resistance to temperatures ranging from -40 °F to 482 °F (-40 °C to 250 °C). These types of rings are ideal in acidic conditions and other fluids.
FEP O-Rings
These rings have a coating of fluorinated ethylene propylene and offer numerous advantages over standard rings. They are capable of handling temperatures as low as -76 °F and as high as 500 °F (-60 °C to 260 °C). They also offer greater elasticity and low friction capabilities.
PFA O-Rings
This O-ring encapsulates perfluoro alkoxy and is an attractive alternative to PEP and PTFE rings. It is ideal for petrochemical and acidic fluids. In addition, they can withstand temperatures higher than 482 °F (250 °C). Because of this, PFA rings are commonly used in the food sector and pharmaceutical organizations.
USP Class VI O-Rings
USP stands for United States Pharmacopeia. These USP rings have achieved a Class VI certification. They have been subjected to testing procedures to assess consistency, quality, and strength so that they are safe to use in scenarios where human life is at stake.
Vulcanized O-Rings
Vulcanized O-rings are made by treating a parent material with sulfur at elevated temperatures and splicing its ends to create a donut shape. This facilitates a reduced cost of production and large-scale production.
Large O-Rings
Large O-rings are made from the process of vulcanization; the process can be done with alterations to the ring diameter. Basic O-rings are made with a diameter of 1 inch (25.4 mm). Other variations can be made in the thickness of the material.
Applications of O-Rings
The automotive industry uses O-rings in passenger vehicles and aerospace products that undergo extreme conditions. The rings are also used when chemical exposure, rampant vibrations, and very high temperatures are common. In the medical field, the rings are used in syringes, pumps, filters, and connectors.
O-rings are also used in common applications where fluids are transmitted from one medium to another. Industrially, O-rings are used in valves, fittings, gas pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks that require sealing solutions. In the electronic industry, the O-rings are particularly used in semiconductor processing and to ensure dust protection in consumer electronics.
Benefits of O-Rings
O-rings have a wide range of benefits. They are suitable for various forms of sealing machinery, be they static or dynamic parts. The rings are also suitable for materials with standard dimensions and grooves for assured interchangeability. O-Rings are best at sealing media that transmit oils, gasses, and chemicals (acidic or alkaline). Finally, they have a simple design with a compact structure and a convenient assembly and disassembly mechanism.
