Finding O-Rings for Your Application: What You Need to Know
Posted on: 20 January 2022
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O-rings are crucial components of the sealing units in a lot of hydraulic equipment such as hydraulic pumps. Generally, O-rings prevent fluid leaks in the hydraulic equipment. And while they are usually durable, they may wear out with time. When this happens, finding suitable replacement O-rings is crucial. However, given the many applications that rely on these rings, there is usually no one-type-fits-all. For this reason, you need to consider a few things in your selection to help you find the right one for your needs. This piece delves into some of the critical things to consider when selecting O-rings.
Material
O-rings come in a variety of materials. For instance, nitrile butadiene rubber, buna nitrile, ethylene-propylene (EPDM), neoprene, silicone, fluorocarbon, chloroprene, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are some of the O-ring materials you will find in the markets. Each material has unique properties that make it ideal for specific applications. Therefore, it's crucial to explain what you need to use the O-ring for when buying one. That's because the material you choose must be compatible with your application. Incompatibility issues with the operating fluids, temperature, pressure, etc., in your application, can result in your O-rings degrading with time or losing their efficiency.
Operating Temperature and Pressure
The operating temperature and pressure are also crucial when choosing O-rings. Every application is unique. Therefore, you must select an O-ring that can withstand the conditions in your application's operating environment. For instance, does the O-rings temperature and pressure ratings match the temperature and pressure levels in your application. Knowing this is crucial because some O-rings may lose flexibility or elasticity or become damaged under extreme temperatures.
On the other hand, knowing the pressure levels your O-rings will be subjected to while in operation is equally crucial. That's because choosing an O-ring that cannot withstand the pressure levels can result in swelling, slippage, leaks, and other similar issues.
Size
Correct sizing is vital when selecting O-rings because it helps prevent leaks by ensuring a tight seal. Therefore, assess your application needs carefully to ensure you select the right O-ring size. Generally, the critical measurements you need to consider when selecting O-ring sizes include the cross-sectional width, outside diameter, and internal diameter. All these are crucial in defining the right O-ring size, and they must be selected keenly depending on your project needs. While several standard sizes exist, you can go for custom sizes if you don't find an option that works for you.