Knowing the differences between the available seal materials is essential when choosing the right seal for your application. When selecting the proper seal for your application, you may wonder what the differences between gaskets and O-rings are. Both are common types of seals in various applications, but there are some key differences that you should be aware of.
What are Gaskets and O-Rings?
Gaskets are typically made from softer materials, such as rubber or cork, and fill the space between two surfaces. On the other hand, O-rings are constructed of tougher materials like elastomers or plastics and can fit into a groove on one of the surfaces.
Used to seal two surfaces together, such as the lid of a jar and the jar itself.
It can conform to irregular surfaces, which makes them ideal for sealing surfaces that are not perfectly flat.
More tolerant of temperature extremes and can withstand higher pressures.
Advantages of using O-Ring
O-rings may also be helpful in sealing applications:
Used to seal around a shaft or pipe, preventing fluid or gas from leaking through the opening.
It provides a better seal on flat surfaces and is less likely to leak.
More resistance to chemicals and abrasion makes them a better choice for applications where these factors concern.
Similarities of Gaskets and O-Rings
Gaskets and O-rings are both types of seals that prevent fluid or gas leaks.
They are produced in various materials, including rubber, metal, and plastic.
Both are also available in various sizes to fit different applications.
Difference between Gaskets and O-Rings
Gaskets and O-rings are seals often utilized in many applications. However, there are several distinctions between the two when deciding which one to use:
The material used for the creation
Gaskets are usually made from paper, cork, rubber, or metal and fill the space between two surfaces, while O-rings are circular seals made from elastomeric materials such as silicone, FKM, or EPDM.
Their use and application
Gaskets prevent leakage between two mating surfaces that are not perfectly flat. In contrast, O-rings seal between two surfaces that are in close contact with each other.
Sealing method
One key difference between gaskets and O-rings is the way they seal. Gaskets rely on a tight fit between the gasket and the mating surface. Meanwhile, O-rings seal by compressing to fill any gaps between the two surfaces. Gaskets are also more likely to leak over time as the materials degrade and the gasket loses its shape, unlike O-rings, which are more resistant to degradation and can provide a longer-lasting seal.
Cost
Another key difference is the cost. Gaskets can be cheaper to produce than O-rings, but they are also more likely to need to be replaced more often. In contrast, O-rings can last longer and provide a more reliable seal, but they can also be more expensive to purchase.
Consider the application and desired results when choosing between O-rings vs. gaskets. Selecting gaskets over O-rings depends on the application.
Experts in gasket and O-ring seals
When choosing between gaskets and O-rings, it is essential to consider the specific needs of your application. If you are unsure which type of seal is best for your needs, consult with us now to find the right solution for your application!
Industry professionals know how important it is to keep their equipment clean. When it comes to keeping your equipment clean and free of leaks, spliced/vulcanized O-rings make all the difference.
In simple terms, vulcanized rubber rings are combined with two types of rubber to create a single ring because this process produces a more durable and longer-lasting o-ring. They are ideal for food processing and packaging equipment due to their tight seals and leak resistance.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what spliced/ vulcanized O-rings are, their different types, the benefits they offer, and explore their functions.
What Are Spliced/Vulcanized O-rings?
Spliced/Vulcanized O-rings are sealing rings made by joining two pieces of elastomeric material together, usually with an adhesive or heat. The resulting seal is stronger and more durable than a traditional O-ring, making it ideal for applications where high temperatures or pressures are involved.
There are two main types of spliced/vulcanized O-rings:
Those made from two pieces of the same material
Those made from two parts of different materials are also called heterogeneous or bimetallic spliced/vulcanized O-ring
Types Of Spliced/Vulcanized O-Rings
Many spliced/vulcanized o-rings are each designed for specific applications and environments. Some of the most common types include the following:
Nitrile O-rings
Made from a synthetic rubber compound and is designed for use in various applications. They are resistant to oil and fuel, making them ideal for automotive and machinery applications.
Viton O-rings
These are applicable in high-temperature applications. They are also resistant to oil, fuel, and chemicals, making them ideal for use in seals for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Silicone O-rings
These come from a synthetic rubber compound designed for high-temperature applications. They are also resistant to oil, fuel, and chemicals, making them ideal for use in seals for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
EPDM O-rings
It has a wide variety of applications. They are resistant to water and chemicals, making them ideal for use in gasketing and seals for piping and plumbing joints.
Functions Of Spliced/Vulcanized O-Rings
The primary function of vulcanized/spliced o-rings is to seal between two surfaces, preventing leakage and protecting the joint from contaminants. Some of the most common applications for spliced/vulcanized o-rings include:
Piping and plumbing joints
Gasketing
Seals for hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Automotive and machinery applications
Benefits Of Using Spliced/Vulcanized O-Rings
There are many benefits to using spliced/vulcanized o-rings in applications where a seal is required. Some of the most important benefits include:
Preventing leakage
Spliced o-rings provide an effective seal that prevents leakage across a joint. It is essential in applications where containment is critical, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Protecting the joint
In addition to preventing leakage, spliced/vulcanized o-rings protect the joint from contaminants. It is essential in applications where exposure of joints to harsh environments or aggressive chemicals.
Improving joint strength
Spliced/vulcanized o-rings can also improve the strength of a joint by distributing loads more evenly across the surfaces. They are vital in applications with high loads, such as automotive and machinery.
You must Make the Right Choices
You may not know where to start and have no idea how to proceed, so let Allied Metrics assist you. Our 26 years of experience will make it easy for you to find the right o-ring.
Choosing the type of vulcanized/spliced o-rings for application is paramount to ensuring a proper seal. A knowledgeable supplier can help determine the correct type of o-ring for a given application.
Get expert advice from someone who knows! Our team of experts at Allied Metrics can assist you with everything from sizing to installing o-rings in your project. For more information, give us a call!
An O-ring groove is a circular cross-sectioned recess in a housing or mechanical device designed to hold an O-ring seal. The O-ring sits in the groove and is compressed during assembly, creating a seal between two surfaces. O-ring groove design is critical to the performance of the O-ring seal.
When designing an O-ring groove, it is essential to consider all these factors to ensure an effective seal. O-rings are available in various materials, sizes, and cross sections to meet the needs of most applications. O-ring compression ratios can vary depending on the application.
At Allied Metrics, we can assist with O-ring groove design and O-ring selection to ensure a successful application.
Factors To Consider In Designing An O-ring Groove
There are several factors to consider in an O-ring groove design, including:
The O-ring material must be compatible with the housing material and the environment where the seal is needed.
It must have the correct groove size and an accurate cross-section.
It must also be compressed to the proper ratio to create an effective seal.
The proper o-ring groove calculation.
The surface finish of the groove must be smooth to prevent O-ring damage and allow for proper O-ring compression.
Types of O-ring Grove Design
Standard O-ring groove
The Standard O-ring groove is typically used in applications where there is a need for a static seal, such as in hydraulic systems. Dynamic sealing applications use this groove, such as in pneumatic systems.
Dovetail O-ring groove
A dovetail O-ring groove is a type of O-ring groove design that incorporates a dovetail-shaped cross-section. It is a type of groove designed to provide superior sealing performance in applications with significant thermal or pressure cycling.
Metric O-ring groove
Metric O-rings are designed for various applications, including high-pressure hydraulic systems, to seal fluids and prevent leaks by filling the space between two mating surfaces. Metric O-rings have a round cross-section and are available in different sizes.
If you want to know more about o-ring groove dimensions and its functions, visit Allied Metrics’ website to learn more!
Advantages of O-ring Groove Design
Here are some benefits of using an O-ring groove design
It provides a reliable seal for a wide variety of applications.
Available in various materials to resist degradation from chemicals, heat, and other environmental factors.
It can be compressed to the proper ratio to create an effective seal.
Also available in various o-ring groove sizes and cross sections to meet the needs of most applications.
Allied Metrics: Why Should You Choose Us?
Our X-rings serve a variety of sealing applications well. QUAD-Rings, also known as X-rings, provide additional sealing benefits over other sealing solutions. An O-ring sits in a groove and compresses when assembled in dynamic and static applications, while a silicone ring fits between two parts to fill the gap between them.
The most notable advantages of QUAD-rings/X-rings over O-rings include:
Increased lubrication retention with deeper grooves
Sealing capacity is increased by four lips
A high level of stability for dynamic applications
Provides more excellent resistance to spiral failure than O-rings
High lubrication retention prolongs seal life
Multiple seal points require less compression force to create an effective seal
O-ring Grooved Design: Critical To O-ring Seal’s Performance
Always remember that the o-ring seal design greatly affects the o-ring groove design. Ready to start designing your own o-ring grooves? It’s not as hard as you might think. In fact, with our help, it can be downright easy.
When designing an O-ring groove, it is essential to consider all factors affecting the seal. O-rings are a versatile and reliable option for many applications. Contact us today and let us show you how simple and cost-effective custom tooling can be. With Allied Metrics’ team of experts by your side, there’s no limit to what you can create. Let’s get started!
When it comes to food-grade applications, it is vital to choose a suitable material for your gasket or seal. High temperatures and harsh chemicals can degrade some materials, making them unsuitable for contact with food.
You can count on Allied Metrics O-Rings & Seals, Inc. to help you choose the right food grade gasket for your needs. Our guide will help you select suitable materials for your application.
Why are Food Grade O-Rings and Seals important?
O-rings and seals are used to seal structures such as pipes, tubes, pistons, and cylinders. Placing them between two surfaces prevents liquids and gases from leaking.
For the food industry, such components are crucial as they transform raw food materials into shelf-ready foods through bottling, canning, fermentation, freezing, pasteurization, and steaming.
When the seal material matches the cleaning chemicals, the interval between planned maintenance and production yield can be maximized.
With coating technology, friction characteristics of elastomer seals are improved, wear resistance is enhanced, and insertion forces are reduced.
These are critical to processing equipment’s performance and can significantly impact the commercial success of food and beverage products.
Materials Used For Food Grade O-Rings and Seals
There is a variety of food grade gasket materials for o-rings and seals. These materials are all well-suited for food processing due to their different properties. The following are the materials used in our Food Grade O-Rings and Seals:
Silicone O-Rings: The dielectric properties of silicon are excellent, and it offers resistance to heat, ozone, and corona. The material is also highly flexible at low temperatures and resistant to many oils, chemicals, and solvents.
PTFE O-Rings: Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is an electrical and thermal insulator that can withstand various temperatures. It has a high level of temperature resistance, similar to silicone. Furthermore, it is excellently resistant to abrasion and stickiness and is commonly used due to its extreme malleability.
Viton O-Rings: A high-performance rubber, Viton is resistant to ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, fuels, hydraulic fluids, aromatics, and many organic solvents and chemicals.
Buna O-Rings: Buna (also known as NBR) is rubber with high wear resistance, excellent mechanical properties, and oil and fuel resistance.
EPDM O-Rings: As a weather-resistant and UV-resistant material, ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM, is ideal for situations that require exposure to the elements. In addition to being flexible at low temperatures, it is chemically resistant and electrically insulating.
What To Look For in Food Grade O-Rings and Seals
Food grade o-rings and seals are safe for direct food contact. An o-ring must be from synthetic or natural materials that can withstand the conditions where it will be applicable. It is also considered safe in food applications, processing, or manufacturing.
There are a few things to consider when choosing the suitable material for your food grade gasket:
Find out the intended use of the gasket. If you need a gasket in direct contact with food, you’ll want to ensure what food-grade material is made from.
Take into consideration the environment for the gasket. You’ll want to ensure the material can tolerate high temperatures. If your application exposes the gasket or seal to high temperatures, you will need high-temperature food grade material that can withstand the heat. Some materials, like fluorocarbon and silicone, can handle up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Consider whether the material will be chemically compatible with the food or beverage. The quality of food grade seals varies. Select a seal specifically designed for food processing. FDA-approved materials are used in these seals to ensure food safety from processing until it reaches the market.
The Right Material Makes A Difference
Whether you’re looking for an o-ring or seal for your next food processing project, Allied Metrics O-Rings & Seals is here to help. With over 26 years of experience in the industry, we have the knowledge and expertise to recommend and supply the best possible product for your needs. Contact us today to discuss your requirements – our team will be happy to assist you!
An O-ring, also known as a packing or a toric joint, is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus, a circular gasket with a hole through the middle to facilitate the flow of fluids, gases, or various process media. This simple and important component is widely used in numerous industries and may be made from numerous materials to suit the needs of different use cases. O-rings are the most commonly used type of fluid power seal.
What is an O-Ring?
An O-ring prevents leaks by creating a durable, moisture-resistant seal that locks pressurized gas and water inside a system. O-rings seal by being compressed between two joined fittings, preventing any air or outside moisture from entering the closed system.
O-rings see broad use in a myriad of applications across the spectrum. Here are a few examples:
Hydraulic equipment commonly relies on O-ring sealing to prevent fluid leaks that will impact the efficacy of the machinery.
O-rings are used in scuba equipment to keep water out of air lines
Some dental implants incorporate O-rings to keep liquid out and prevent infection.
Many industrial process systems use O-rings to prevent leaks of critical process fluids at fitted joints.
O-rings are commonly found in the piping systems found in plumbing, water, and wastewater applications.
O-Ring Material Types
O-rings are available from a variety of materials, with each suiting specific application types. Common O-ring materials include:
Nitrile. Nitrile is used for fuel systems and environments exposed to water, steam, and cleaning agents because of its strength and chemical resistance.
Silicone. Silicone is a versatile material with a broad temperature range that provides resistances to UV rays, ozone, and fungal growth. These O-rings are commonly used in the food and beverage and medical industries because silicone is an inert material that won’t leech into flavors or cause cytotoxic reactions.
EPDM. Ethylene propylene (EPDM) is typically used for its chemical and high heat resistance capabilities. These O-rings are commonly used in hot and cold water systems and applications where the equipment is exposed to steam.
PTFE. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) features a high tolerance to friction and water, as well as excellent thermal insulation. These properties make PTFE a popular O-ring material in systems with abrasive fluids or process media.
Viton. Viton is a fluorocarbon with high permeability and good chemical resistance. These O-rings are used in environments exposed to blended gasoline and transmission fluid.
HNBR. Hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR) is resistant to most man-made and natural fats and oils. These O-rings are used in applications requiring heat resistance and aggressive media, such as gaskets and seals for the oil and gas industry.
Neoprene. Neoprene, a synthetic rubber, is noted for its strong mechanical properties and excellent ozone, heat, and abrasion resistance. Neoprene O-rings are used in refrigeration systems and environments exposed to silicone oils or low-pressure oxygen.
Polyurethane. Polyurethane offers high wear resistance, high elasticity, high tensile strength, and an outstanding resistance to oil, solvents and fuel. These O-rings are often used in mechanical and hydraulic systems.
Rubber. Natural rubber O-rings have low gas permeability, low resilience, and good resistances to ozone, heat, weathering, alkalis and dilute acids. They are commonly used in high pressure/vacuum sealing, vibration damping, and shock absorption applications.
O-Ring Industries and Applications
O-rings are used in countless industries, with examples including:
Aerospace
Fluid power and motion control
Food and dairy
Industrial hydraulics and pneumatics
Marine
Medical
Oil and gas
OEM custom parts
Optical
Pharmaceutical
Semiconductors
As a trusted O-ring manufacturer, Allied Metrics O-Rings & Seals offers a comprehensive array of materials and sizes for almost any application or industry sector. To see how our quality O-rings will fit into your next project, request a quote or contact us for more information.
