O-ring

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This article is about the mechanical seal. For other uses, see Oring.

Typical O-ring and application

An O-ring, also known as a packing, or a toric joint, is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus;
it is a loop of elastomer with a round cross-section, designed to be seated in a groove and
compressed during assembly between two or more parts, creating a sealat the interface.
The O-ring may be used in static applications or in dynamic applications where there is relative
motion between the parts and the O-ring. Dynamic examples include rotating pump shafts
and hydraulic cylinder pistons. Static applications of O-rings may include fluid or gas sealing
applications in which: (1) the O-ring is compressed resulting in zero clearance, (2) the O-ring
material is vulcanized solid such that it is impermeable to the fluid or gas, and (3) the O-ring material
is resistant to degradation by the fluid or gas.[1]
O-rings are one of the most common seals used in machine design because they are inexpensive,
easy to make, reliable and have simple mounting requirements. They have been tested to seal up to
5000 psi (35 megapascals) of pressure.[2] The maximum recommended pressure of an O-ring seal
depends on the seal hardness and gland clearance.[3]

Contents

 1Manufacturing
 2History
 3Theory and design
o 3.1Typical applications
o 3.2Vacuum applications
o 3.3High temperature applications
 4Sizes
 5Material
 6Other seals
 7Failure modes
 8Challenger disaster
 9Future
 10Standards
o 10.1ISO 3601 Fluid power systems — O-rings
 11See also
 12References
 13External links

Manufacturing[edit]
O-rings can be produced by extrusion, injection molding, pressure molding or transfer molding.[4]

History[edit]
The first patent for the O-ring, is dated May 12, 1896 as a Swedish patent. J. O. Lundberg, the
inventor of the O-ring, received the patent.[5] The US patent[6] for the O-ring was filed in 1937 by a
then 72-year-old Danish-born machinist, Niels Christensen.[7] Soon after migrating to the United
States in 1891, he patented an air brake system for streetcars(trams). Despite his legal efforts,
his intellectual property rights were passed from company to company until they ended up
at Westinghouse.[7] During World War II, the US government commandeered the O-ring patent as a
critical war-related item and gave the right to manufacture to other organizations. Christensen
received a lump sum payment of US$75,000 for his efforts. Litigation resulted in a $100,000
payment to his heirs in 1971, 19 years after his death.[8]

Theory and design[edit]

O-ring mounting for an ultra-high vacuum application. Pressure distribution within the cross-section of the O-
ring. The orange lines are hard surfaces, which apply high pressure. The fluid in the seams has lower pressure.
The soft O-ring bridges the pressure over the seams.

O-rings are available in various metric and inch standard sizes. Sizes are specified by the
inside diameter and the cross sectiondiameter (thickness). In the US the most common standard
inch sizes are per SAE AS568C specification (e.g. AS568-214). ISO 3601-1:2012 contains the most
commonly used standard sizes, both inch and metric, worldwide. The UK also has standards sizes
known as BS sizes, typically ranging from BS001 to BS932. Several other size specifications also
exist.
Typical applications[edit]
Successful O-ring joint design requires a rigid mechanical mounting that applies a predictable
deformation to the O-ring. This introduces a calculated mechanical stress at the O-ring contacting
surfaces. As long as the pressure of the fluid being contained does not exceed the contact stress of
the O-ring, leaking cannot occur. The pressure of the contained fluid transfers through the
essentially incompressible O-ring material, and the contact stress rises with increasing pressure. For
this reason, an O-ring can easily seal high pressure as long as it does not fail mechanically. The
most common failure is extrusion through the mating parts.
The seal is designed to have a point contact between the O-ring and sealing faces. This allows a
high local stress, able to contain high pressure, without exceeding the yield stress of the O-ring
body. The flexible nature of O-ring materials accommodates imperfections in the mounting parts. But
it is still important to maintain good surface finish of those mating parts, especially at low
temperatures where the seal rubber reaches its glass transition temperature and becomes
increasingly crystalline. Surface finish is also especially important in dynamic applications. A surface
finish that is too rough will abrade the surface of the O-ring, and a surface that is too smooth will not
allow the seal to be adequately lubricated by a fluid film.
Vacuum applications[edit]
In vacuum applications, the permeability of the material makes point contacts quite useless. Instead,
higher mounting forces are used and the ring fills the whole groove. Also, round back-up rings are
used to save the ring from excessive deformation [9][10][11] Because the ring feels the ambient
pressure and the partial pressure of gases only at the seal, their gradients will be steep near
the seal and shallow in the bulk (opposite to the gradient of the contact stress [12] See: Vacuum
flange#KF.2FQF. High-vacuum systems below 10−9 Torr use copper or nickel O-rings. Also, vacuum
systems that have to be immersed in liquid nitrogen use indium O-rings, because rubber becomes
hard and brittle at low temperatures.
High temperature applications[edit]
In some high-temperature applications, O-rings may need to be mounted in a tangentially
compressed state, to compensate for the Gow-Joule effect.

Sizes[edit]
O-rings come in a variety of sizes. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Standard 568
(AS568)[13] specifies the inside diameters, cross-sections, tolerances, and size identification codes
(dash numbers) for O-rings used in sealing applications and for straight thread tube fitting boss
gaskets. British Standard (BS) which are imperial sizes or metric sizes. Typical dimensions of an O-
ring are internal dimension (id), outer dimension (od) and thickness / cross section (cs)
Metric O-rings are usually defined by the internal dimension x the cross section. Typical part number
for a metric O-ring - ID x CS [material & shore hardness] 2x1N70 = defines this O-ring as 2mm id
with 1mm cross section made from Nitrile rubber which is 70Sh
BS O-rings are defined by a standard reference.

Material[edit]

Some small O-rings

O-ring selection is based on chemical compatibility, application temperature, sealing

pressure, lubrication requirements, durometer, size and cost.[14]
Synthetic rubbers - Thermosets:

 Butadiene rubber (BR)

 Butyl rubber (IIR)
 Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM)
 Epichlorohydrin rubber(ECH, ECO)
 Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM): good resistance to hot
water and steam, detergents, caustic potash solutions, sodium
hydroxide solutions, silicone oils and greases, many polar solvents
and many diluted acids and chemicals. Special formulations are
excellent for use with glycol-based brake fluids. Unsuitable for use
 with mineral oil products: lubricants, oils, or fuels. Peroxide-cured
compounds are suitable for higher temperatures.[15]
 Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR)
 Fluoroelastomer (FKM): noted for their very high resistance to heat
and a wide variety of chemicals. Other key benefits include
excellent resistance to aging and ozone, very low gas permeability
and the fact that the materials are self-extinguishing. Standard FKM
materials have excellent resistance to mineral oils and greases,
aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, fuels, non-
flammable hydraulic fluids (HFD) and many organic solvents and
chemicals. Generally not resistant to hot water, steam, polar
solvents, glycol-based brake fluids and low molecular weight
organic acids. In addition to the standard FKM materials, a number
of specialty materials with different monomer compositions and
fluorine content (65% to 71%) are available that offer improved
chemical or temperature resistance and/or better low temperature
performance.[15]
 Nitrile rubber (NBR, HNBR, HSN, Buna-N): a common material for
o-rings because of its good mechanical properties, its resistance to
lubricants and greases, and its relatively low cost. The physical and
chemical resistance properties of NBR materials are determined by
the acrylonitrile (ACN) content of the base polymer: low content
ensures good flexibility at low temperatures, but offers limited
resistance to oils and fuels. As the ACN content increases, the low
temperature flexibility reduces and the resistance to oils and fuels
improves. Physical and chemical resistance properties of NBR
materials are also affected by the cure system of the polymer.
Peroxide-cured materials have improved physical properties,
chemical resistance and thermal properties, as compared to sulfur-
donor-cured materials. Standard grades of NBR are typically
resistant to mineral oil-based lubricants and greases, many grades
of hydraulic fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, silicone oils and greases
and water to about 80 °C. NBR is generally not resistant to aromatic
and chlorinated hydrocarbons, fuels with a high aromatic content,
polar solvents, glycol-based brake fluids and non-flammable
hydraulic fluids (HFD). NBR also has low resistance to ozone,
weathering and aging. HNBR has considerable improvement of the
resistance to heat, ozone and aging, and gives it good mechanical
properties.[15]
 Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
 Polyacrylate rubber (ACM)
 Polychloroprene (neoprene) (CR)
 Polyisoprene (IR)
 Polysulfide rubber (PSR)
 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
 Sanifluor (FEPM)
 Silicone rubber (SiR): noted for their ability to be used over a wide
temperature range and for excellent resistance to ozone,
weathering and aging. Compared with most other sealing
elastomers, the physical properties of silicones are poor. Generally,
silicone materials are physiologically harmless so they are
commonly used by the food and drug industries. Standard silicones
 are resistant to water (to 100 °C), aliphatic engine and transmission
oils and animal and plant oils and fats. Silicones are generally not
resistant to fuels, aromatic mineral oils, steam (short term to 120 °C
is possible), silicone oils and greases, acids or alkalis.
Fluorosilicone elastomers are far more resistant to oils and fuels.
The temperature range of applications is somewhat more
restricted.[15]
 Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
Thermoplastics:

 Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) styrenics

 Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE
 Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polyether, polyester:
Polyurethanes differ from classic elastomers in that they have much
better mechanical properties. In particular they have a high
resistance to abrasion, wear and extrusion, a high tensile strength
and excellent tear resistance. Polyurethanes are generally resistant
to aging and ozone, mineral oils and greases, silicone oils and
greases, nonflammable hydraulic fluids HFA & HFB, water up to
50 °C and aliphatic hydrocarbons.[15]
 Thermoplastic etheresterelastomers (TEEEs) copolyesters
 Thermoplastic polyamide (PEBA) Polyamides
 Melt Processible Rubber (MPR)
 Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV)
Chemical Compatibility:

 Air, 200 - 300 °F – Silicone

 Beer - EPDM
 Chlorine Water – Viton (FKM)
 Gasoline – Buna-N or Viton (FKM)
 Hydraulic Oil (Petroleum Base, Industrial) – Buna-N
 Hydraulic Oils (Synthetic Base) – Viton
 Water – EPDM
 Motor Oils – Buna-N
[16]

Other seals[edit]
This section appears to contradict itself on scope of the term "O-
ring". Please see the talk page for more information.(November 2014)

O-ring and other sealing profiles

For sealings, there are variations in cross-section design other than circular. The shape can have
different profiles, an x-shaped profile, commonly called the X-ring, Q-ring, or by the trademarked
name Quad Ring. When squeezed upon installation, they seal with 4 contact surfaces—2 small
contact surfaces on the top and bottom. This contrasts with the standard O-ring's comparatively
larger single contact surfaces top and bottom. X-rings are most commonly used in reciprocating
applications, where they provide reduced running and breakout friction and reduced risk of spiraling
when compared to O-rings.
There are also rings with a square profile, commonly called square-cuts, lathe cuts,tabular cut or
Square rings. When O-rings were selling at a premium because of the novelty, lack of efficient
manufacturing processes and high labor content, Square rings were introduced as an economical
substitution for O-rings. The square ring is typically manufactured by molding an elastomer sleeve
which is then lathe-cut. This style of seal is sometimes less expensive to manufacture with certain
materials and molding technologies (compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding),
especially in low volumes. The physical sealing performance of square rings in static applications is
superior to that of O-rings, however in dynamic applications it is inferior to that of O-rings. Square
rings are usually used only in dynamic applications as energizers in cap seal assemblies. Square
rings can also be more difficult to install than O-rings.
Similar devices with a non-round cross-sections are called seals, packings or gaskets. See
also washers.[17]
Automotive cylinder heads are typically sealed by flat gaskets faced with copper.
Knife edges pressed into copper gaskets are used for high vacuum.
Elastomers or soft metals that solidify in place are used as seals.

Failure modes[edit]
O-ring materials may be subjected to high or low temperatures, chemical attack, vibration, abrasion,
and movement. Elastomers are selected according to the situation.
There are O-ring materials which can tolerate temperatures as low as -200 C or as high as 250+ C.
At the low end, nearly all engineering materials become rigid and fail to seal; at the high end, the
materials often burn or decompose. Chemical attack can degrade the material, start brittle cracks or
cause it to swell. For example, NBR seals can crack when exposed to ozone gas at very low
concentrations, unless protected. Swelling by contact with a low viscosity fluid causes an increase in
dimensions, and also lowers the tensile strength of the rubber. Other failures can be caused by
using the wrong size of ring for a specific recess, which may cause extrusion of the rubber.
Elastomers are sensitive to ionizing radiation. In typical applications, O-rings are well protected from
less penetrating radiation such as ultraviolet and soft X-rays, but more penetrating radiation such as
neutrons may cause rapid deterioration. In such environments, soft metal seals are used.
There are a few common reasons for O-Ring Failure:
1. Installation Damage – This is caused by improper installation of the O-ring.
2. Spiral Failure – Found on long-stroke piston seals and – to a lesser degree – on rod seals. The
seal gets “hung up” at one point on its diameter (against the cylinder wall) and slides and rolls at the
same time. This twists the O-ring as the sealed device is cycled and finally causes a series of deep
spiral cuts (typically at a 45 degree angle) on the surface of the seal.
3. Explosive Decompression - An O-ring embolism, also called gas expansion rupture, occurs when
high pressure gas becomes trapped inside the elastomeric seal element. This expansion causes
blisters and ruptures on the surface of the seal.

Challenger disaster[edit]
Main article: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The failure of an O-ring seal was determined to be the cause of the Space
Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. A crucial factor was cold weather prior to the
launch. This was famously demonstrated on television by Caltech physics professor Richard
Feynman, when he placed a small O-ring into ice-cold water, and subsequently showed its loss
of flexibility before an investigative committee.
The material of the failed O-ring was FKM, which was specified by the shuttle motor
contractor, Morton-Thiokol. When an O-ring is cooled below its Tg (glass transition temperature), it
loses its elasticity and becomes brittle. More importantly, when an O-ring is cooled near, but not
beyond, its Tg, the cold O-ring, once compressed, will take longer than normal to return to its original
shape. O-rings (and all other seals) work by creating positive pressure against a surface thereby
preventing leaks. On the night before the launch, exceedingly low air temperatures were recorded.
On account of this, NASA technicians performed an inspection. The ambient temperature was within
launch parameters, and the launch sequence was allowed to proceed. However, the temperature of
the rubber O-rings remained significantly lower than that of the surrounding air. During his
investigation of the launch footage, Feynman observed a small out-gassing event from the Solid
Rocket Booster (SRB) at the joint between two segments in the moments immediately preceding the
disaster. This was blamed on a failed O-ring seal. The escaping high temperature gas impinged
upon the external tank, and the entire vehicle was destroyed as a result.
The rubber industry has gone through its share of transformation after the accident. Many O-rings
now come with batch and cure date coding, as in the medicine industry, to precisely track and
control distribution. For aerospace and military/defense applications, O-rings are usually individually
packaged and labeled with the material, cure date, and batch information. O-rings can, if needed, be
recalled off the shelf.[18] Furthermore, O-rings and other seals are routinely batch-tested for quality
control by the manufacturers, and often undergo Q/A several more times by the distributor and
ultimate end users.
As for the SRBs themselves, NASA and Morton-Thiokol redesigned them with a new joint design,
which now incorporated three O-rings instead of two, with the joints themselves having onboard
heaters that can be turned on when temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C). No O-ring issues have
occurred since Challenger, and they did not play a role in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster of
2003.

Future[edit]
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this
section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be
challenged and removed. (February 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this
template message)

An O-ring is one of the simplest, yet highly critical, precision mechanical components ever
developed. But, there are new advances that may take some of the burden of critical sealing away
from the O-ring. There are cottage industries of elastomer consultants assisting in designing O-ring-
less pressure vessels. Nano-technology-rubber is one such new frontier. Presently, these
advancements are increasing the importance of O-rings. Since O-rings encompass the areas of
chemistry and material science, any advancement in nano-rubber will affect the O-ring industry.
Already, there are elastomers filled with nano-carbon and nano-PTFE and molded into O-rings used
in high-performance applications. For example, carbon nanotubes are used in electrostatic
dissipative applications and nano-PTFE is used in ultra pure semiconductor applications. The use of
nano-PTFE in fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomersimproves abrasion resistance, lowers
friction, lowers permeation, and can act as clean filler.
Using conductive carbon black or other fillers can exhibit the useful properties of conductive rubber,
namely preventing electrical arcing, static sparks, and the overall build-up of charge within rubber
that may cause it to behave like a capacitor (electrostatic dissipative). By dissipating these charges,
these materials, which include doped carbon-black and rubber with metal filling additives, reduce the
risk of ignition, which can be useful for fuel lines.

Standards[edit]
ISO 3601 Fluid power systems — O-rings[edit]

 ISO 3601-1:2012 Inside diameters, cross-sections, tolerances and

designation codes
 ISO 3601-2:2016 Housing dimensions for general applications
 ISO 3601-4:2008 Anti-extrusion rings (back-up rings)

See also[edit]
 Cooper Ring
 Diaphragm seal
 Gasket
 Kremer's O-Ring Theory of Economic Development
 Labyrinth seal
 Ozone cracking
 Polymer degradation
 Obturating ring

References[edit]
1. ^ Whitlock, Jerry (2004). "The Seal Man's O-Ring Handbook" (PDF).
EPM, Inc. - The Seal Man.
2. ^ Pearl, D.R. (January 1947). "O-Ring Seals in the Design of Hydraulic
Mechanisms". S.A.E. Annual Meeting. Hamilton Standard Prop. Div. of
United Aircraft Corp.
3. ^ "Frequently Asked O-ring Technical Questions". Parker O-Ring &
Engineered Seals Division. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
4. ^ http://www.oringsusa.com/html/factory_tour.html
5. ^ "O-Ring - Who Invented the O-Ring?". Inventors.about.com. 2010-
06-15. Archived from the original on 2009-03-15. Retrieved 2011-03-
25.
6. ^ ‹See Tfd›US patent 2180795, ‹See Tfd›Niels A. Christensen,
issued 1939-11-21
7. ^ Jump up to:a b "No. 555: O-Ring". Uh.edu. 2004-08-01.
Retrieved 2011-03-25.
8. ^ "Sealing system eliminates O-rings: News from John Crane".
Engineeringtalk.com. 2001-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
9. ^ http://n-c.com/Page.asp?NavID=397
10. ^ "MDC Vacuum Products-Vacuum Components, Chambers, Valves,
Flanges & Fittings". Mdc-vacuum.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
11. ^ "O-ring". Glossary.oilfield.slb.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
12. ^ http://www.dhcae.com/FEA.htm).
13. ^ "AS568: Aerospace Size Standard for O-Rings - SAE
International". www.sae.org. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
14. ^ "O-ring Design, O-ring Design Guide, O-ring Seal Design -Mykin
Inc". Mykin.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
 15. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e "Type details". O-ring elastomer. Dichtomatik
Americas. 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
16. ^ "Chemical Compatibility". The O-Ring Store LLC.
17. ^ "John Crane seals measure up to API standards: News from John
Crane EAA". Processingtalk.com. 2005-12-09. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
18. ^ "What is O-Ring Shelf Life?". Oringsusa.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.

External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to O-rings.

 O-ring basics from C. Otto Gehrckens

 "Standard (AS568), Metric, Swedish (SMS), French and JIS O-Ring
Sizes"
 "O-Ring Gland Design, Static, Axial, Dynamic Applications"
 "O-Rings & sealing solutions"
 "AS-568 O-ring Size Chart"

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