Maintenance of O-rings According to Industry Standards
O-rings are critical to the success of any pipeline, but unfortunately, they lose elasticity over time and crack, causing leaks. When replacing O-rings, be sure to use the correct type according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An O-ring will work properly only if it is free of debris, smooth, free of scratches and cracks, round and not flat, and properly lubricated. O-ring seals regularly break prematurely during use, either due to incorrect material selection or design. The O-ring is usually just a small doughnut-shaped piece, which enabled people in the past to develop new devices and machines that are essential to our lives.
Here is a list of ways to maintain O-rings.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning is an important part of maintenance. This is especially important for O-ring sealing machines. If you find debris, sand, or dirt, clean it with compressed air to avoid rubbing. Also, if the ring shows signs of corrosion or cracks, you should look for a replacement, as using a broken O-ring can cause major failures.
Lubricating
O-rings require a lot of lubrication to function properly. Otherwise, cracks and possibly serious damage may occur. This is important for machines that require opening and closing seals. In this case, you can use any silicone-based O-ring grease, such as WEICON Silicone Grease, and apply the required amount.
Maintenance Products
Remember that different types of O-rings are made for different purposes. These can be rings based on neoprene, Viton, or NBR. What you need will determine what O-ring you should buy. Harkesh Rubber offers O-rings made from a variety of materials including Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM), Chloroprene Rubber (CR), Fluoro Rubber (FKM), Perfluoro Rubber (FFKM), Natural Rubber (NR), Silicone (VMQ), Fluorosilicone (FVMQ). In addition, you may need products such as adhesives and sealants when servicing O-rings. Sealants prevent liquids from entering the spaces, while adhesives bind the two parts together. They are perfect for products that require bonding or separation.
Chemicals
O-rings are better off without chemicals. Exposure to some chemical compounds can lead to disastrous outcomes. O-rings that have been exposed to chemicals swell up. Hence, choosing the right O-ring material is integral as it decides the longevity of the O-ring. Certain materials are compatible with particular chemicals. The O-ring needs to be chemically resistant to the specific application and environment that it will be exposed.
Storage
O-rings need to be stored in air-tight bags, away from direct sunlight. O-rings tend to become brittle over time. All the necessary precautions need to be taken in order to prevent severe consequences. Incorrect storage and care can result in substantial damage. O-rings are known to suffer from flattening, degradation, and abrasions. O-ring failures can be expensive as they might in turn damage the associated parts as well.
Temperature
O-rings require the optimum temperature to function best. An O-ring that has been designed to withstand a certain temperature range is best utilized within those numbers. Exceeding this can lead to major issues. High temperatures can damage the rubber physically and chemically leading to hardening, swelling, and volume changes. At lower temperatures, the O-ring can shrink, become brittle, and lose flexibility affecting its performance.
Harkesh Rubber’s sealing solutions are precisely calibrated with high-quality material and torque-reducing designs. Get in touch with our industry experts to learn more. Our O-rings have found their way into the heart of a car, the engine, and all the way to a dental drill. The variety of customized designs has the sky for the limit.
