Composite sealing options are used in a variety of industries ranging from the military to aerospace to oil, energy and gas, just to name a few. There are four basic types of engineered sealing products: gask-o seals, integral seals, fastener and fitting seals and metal seals. For more information on industrial seal components and O-rings contact Real Seal today.
Gask-O Seals
These seals offer users a one-piece solution to sealing. The metal, plastic or composite retainer includes a custom engineered rubber ring that is affixed in a machined groove. Gask-O seals are typically made for flat or curved surfaces and are long-lasting and durable in providing a leak proof solution.
Integral Seals
These seals are made with a chemically or mechanically bonded elastomer on the frame edge, thus eliminating the machined groove. Just like a Gask-O seal, they are a one-piece solution that is flexible and can conform to a variety of mating surfaces. These seals are capable of sealing high pressure (more than 10,000 psi) and vacuums.
Fastener and Fitting Seals
These seals are designed to provide reliable static sealing around screws, bolts, tube fittings and other fasteners. You also might hear these types of seals referred to as Stat-O Seals, Thread Seals and Lock-O Seals. Stat-O seals are designed to seal beneath the head of the fastener for both internal and external pressure and vacuum systems.
Metal Seals
These types of seals are a great solution for applications where elastomers just won’t work. Metal properties like load, spring back and ductility are used to make sure there is maximum sealing, even when the seal is required to hold up in extreme heat and pressure or is exposed to chemicals. These also might be referred to as metal chevrons, O-rings, C-rings, and E-rings.
Plate Seals
Another popular seal is called a plate seal, a hybrid designed to incorporate the best features of flat gaskets and O-rings. These seals typically use aluminum or steel carriers with a groove machined into the face and a rubber sealing bead molded to the groove. There are two main types of plate seals: groove-bonded and edge-bonded.
Industrial Seals
Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods, with a focus on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry, maintaining a fully equipped laboratory, full-time chemist and technical staff, allowing Real Seal the ability to assist with design challenges and formulate materials to meet specific criteria.
Known for their expertise in polyurethane materials, Real Seal offers a wide array of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. Real Seal is set up to meet the needs of the more fragmenting aspects of the industry. Industrial manufacturers are being asked to offer consumers more choices with a wider latitude of performance criteria, all with greater economic constraints. As the industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of consumers as well as the challenges of international competition, Real Seal will continue to provide practical solutions and value to our customers.
Contact Real Seal today for help in meeting your composite sealing demands.
O-Rings are used to provide secure sealing when two parts are assembled. The installation process, when performed correctly, can increase the service life of the component as well as the application.
Incorrect O-Ring installation can lead to assembly damage, causing leakage during the first pressure test. This could be cause for the entire piece of equipment to be disassembled so that the seals can be replaced. If O-Ring damage happens often, wasting time and money replacing the seals could become a genuine problem for your business. Follow these recommendations for proper O-Ring installation to help prevent these issues from occurring.
Lubrication is an essential component of O-Ring installation, reducing friction and allowing the O-Ring to seat easily in the groove of the mating surface. When inserting a piston into a bore for male/female radial seals, proper lubrication will reduce installation force and create a smooth transition.
Choosing the Proper Lubricant
When choosing a lubricant, there are some things to take into consideration. The lubricant must be:
● compatible with the material being used
● suitable for the temperature range of the application
● compatible with the system fluids
● capable of producing a high surface tension film
● not clog system filters
Examples of Lubricants
Two examples of lubricants on the market are O-Lube and Super O-Lube. O-Lube is a general-purpose grease intended for O-Ring and elastomer seal types used in hydrocarbon service. Super O-Lube is a high viscosity silicone oil, and is considered an ideal all-purpose O-Ring lubricant which is extremely effective.
Design Principles
If you want your machinery to last with minimal need for repair, good design is key. Some of the basic ideas of good O-Ring installation design are:
● put good compression on the O-ring while preventing the groove from exceeding 100% fill
● use a lead in chamfer in radial seal applications at an angle of 15-20 degrees, with an opening which exceeds the maximum height of the O-Ring in the groove
Sizing
Putting the wrong size O-Ring into a machine can cause damage. Make sure to verify that you have chosen the proper sized O-Ring before installation.
Measuring cones and circumference “Pi” tape can help you measure parts and pieces accurately to avoid these problems.
5 Tips for Better Installation of O-Rings
The following steps should help with installing O-Rings correctly, and save you some time as well:
1. The shaft consists of threading, which could tear the rubber seal. Covering and lubricating the threads will provide an easier passage. You can cover the threads using masking tape.
2. You must avoid forcing the O-Ring over sharp corners. Jagged or sharp features could tear the O-Ring. These tears might sometimes not be noticeable to the naked eye; however, they can seriously compromise the seal.
3. When stretching the O-Ring around the shaft, stretch it evenly. Do not pull from one side. Also, try to stretch the O-Ring as little as possible. This will provide a tighter seal and added security.
4. When installing an O-Ring, do not roll it down the shaft. Instead, slide it down. A rolled or “spiral wound” O-Ring cannot be properly installed, and will not function the way it should. This can damage your machine and be lead to costly repairs. Apply lubricant to the O-Ring to keep it from rolling.
5. When installing the rest of the assembly, it is important to place the female component so that it has a radius around the corner. The lead of this component should be inside the chamfer. This process guarantees the safety of the O-Ring.
Bonus: Check out these videos about the various kinds of O-Ring installation.
Real Seal started in 1970 as a distributor of O-Rings, and has grown exponentially since then to serve hundreds of industries nationally and internationally with our seal products and mechanical component goods. If you have any questions about O-Ring installation, sealing products, or sealing systems, contact us today!
Gaskets are an integral part of any application, especially in automotive engines where they play a crucial role in keeping the engine temperatures in check. This is why choosing a gasket material deserves special attention. Choose the wrong one, and you could see a significant drop in production.
Depending on what your application requires, silicone could be just the material you need.
Silicone Versatility
If you are considering silicone for your application, you will have a wide variety of choices in properties that will make it a perfect fit:
Silicone sheets and rolls come in a variety of thicknesses, from 0.10” thick to .500” thick.
Silicone can have a hardness anywhere from 10 Shore A to 80 Shore A.
Molding compounds can be pigmented to match the color chips or Pantone color designations.
Closed cell silicone sponge and foam come in sheets and rolls, from .032” thick to .500” thick. Its densities range from ultra soft to extra firm.
Silicone rubber has the broadest range of firmness and densities.
Fluorosilicone is resistant to fuel, oil, and chemicals.
Compression Set Resistance
Compression set, which occurs when a rubber cannot return to its original thickness after experiencing prolonged compressive stress, is an important factor to consider when choosing a gasket material. If compression set is one of your main concerns, silicone will be one of your best choices: two of the top-ranked compression-resistant materials are silicone and silicone sponge.
Flame Retardant
If silicone is compounded, its ability to resist flames is impressive. It can achieve UL94V0, UL94V1, and UL94HF1 flammability standards. For this reason, silicone is relied on for analytical instrumentation, telecommunications equipment, and controls found in Mass Transit systems. Even if silicone burns (which is only possible under extreme temperatures), its byproducts are non-toxic, and its residual ash can even provide electrical insulation.
FDA Regulations
Silicone can be compounded with FDA-approved ingredients to gain properties like high tear strength and flexing by using platinum-based catalysts. This makes silicone great for healthcare, instrumentation, food processing, and medical diagnostic equipment.
Electrical Conductivity
By blending silicone with nickel-graphite or silver-plated aluminum particles, silicone can be used as an electrically conductive gasket providing EMI shielding for use in electronic communication equipment. This form of silicone comes in a sheet or a custom-molded gasket.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
In applications where ESD is a problem, silicone can be blended with a semi-conductive carbon to gain ESD properties.
Extreme Temperature Resistance
Unlike other organic elastomers like EPDM and neoprene, silicone rubber can retain its thickness even after exposure to a wide range of temperatures. This range goes as low as -60°C to as high as +250°C. In fact:
It can be used at 150°C continuously without experiencing any change in its properties.
Certain compounds can even withstand up to 200°C for 10,000 hours or more.
Certain forms of silicone can withstand 350°C for short periods.
Most forms of organic rubber become embrittled at -20° to -30°C.
Some kinds of silicone products can retain elasticity at -100°C and lower.
Silicone Sponge and Silicone Foam
Silicone sponge (also called closed cell silicone sponge) is made from a thin sheet of uncured silicone gum. Closed cell means that the cells are not interconnecting, preventing water from wicking through the sponge. It also has strong mechanical properties.
Silicone foam is an open cell, lightweight material. Higher density open cell variants are suitable for water sealing, while lower densities will allow moisture to pass through.
Other Properties
Due to its closed cell structure, silicone is great at water sealing with relatively low compressive forces. UL 50 and UL 50E are available.
Silicone is excellent at resisting UV and ozone because it has an inorganic backbone. This extends the performance of the gasket in the long-term.
Silicone sponge is much tougher than silicone foam.
All of silicone’s properties make it a great choice for outdoor environments with extreme conditions, such as the Arctic tundra and the desert.
No matter what gasket material you choose, make sure that you understand the major causes of gasket failure, and how to prevent them.
Consult the Industry Leader
If you are ready to make a purchase for your seal, consult the industry experts at Real Seal today. Real Seal has been an industry leader since the 1970s, and continues to innovate with its own chemist and technical staff. No matter what type of seal or mechanical component you are looking for, Real Seal will have the answer you need.
If you’re most people, you probably haven’t thought much about using lubricants on your machineries—unless they’re already making noticeable sounds.
But you don’t have to wait until your gears are all rusty and worn out before you use lubricants. In fact, it’s better to lubricate regularly the seal components of your machines.
Here’s why. Proper lubrication:
• Reduces friction and heating of moving parts
• Prevents premature wear and tear of seal components
• Maintains the integrity of machines and other industrial applications
Machineries operate better when the seal components are lubricated. There’s less resistance and chafing, so the parts last longer. Some seals are prone to cracking easily, but when they are properly lubricated, they don’t snap just as easily.
Are all lubricants the same?
Lubricant, oil, and grease. What’s the difference between the three?
People like to use those terms interchangeably, and they somewhat correct in doing so. But lubricant is an umbrella term for both grease and oil. For purposes of clarifying what a lube really is and what it does, let’s establish their differences.
The difference between the oil and grease lies in their application:
• If you have machines that operate at high temperatures and speed, use oil.
• If your machine operates at regular temperature and speed, use grease.
That’s the most basic explanation. But of course, there are specific types of lubricants for specific types of operations:
1. Penetrating Lubricant
This is a good choice if you’re dealing with rust on mechanical seals. This lube cuts through rust after a few hours. It comes in both spray and liquid type—your choice depends on the type of seal component you have and the severity of rusting.
2. Silicone Spray
If you are looking for a lubricant that makes the least mess, then a silicone spray is your friend. It is relatively good lubricant. It’s perfect for components that are prone to rusting as it offers a bit of waterproofing as well.
3. PTFE or Teflon Spray
PTFE is often associated with the trademark Teflon. Similar to a silicone spray, this also offers corrosion protection, so it’s best used as a lubricant for machineries that operate at high temperatures.
4. Dry Lube
Also called graphite lube, dry lube is best used on small parts. Unlike most liquid lubricants, dry lube does not gum up small components. It comes in powder form, but the spray form dries rather quickly and doesn’t affect the integrity of seal components.
5. Lithium or White Grease
White grease is best used on devices that work at high temperatures. It’s thicker than other lubricants, so it stays put no matter how much pressure is applied to seal components.
Keeping your seal components well lubricated prevents friction from ruining your machinery. Even if you don’t notice any obvious wear and tear, you should make lubricating small parts a habit to make them last longer.
Lubricants are not all the same in terms of viscosity and effectiveness. The kind of lubricant that you should use depends on what kind of application you have and on whether your apparatus works at high temperatures or not.
While lubricating extends the life of seal components, they will eventually require a replacement. Real Seal is a manufacturer of sealing products and other mechanical goods. Contact Real Seal to order replacement parts for your machinery.
Hydraulic seals are often used for industrial and domestic applications (such as aerospace, electromechanical, climate control, filtration, fluid and gas handling, and process control) to facilitate the separation of liquids. The proper installation of hydraulic seals is vital for efficient operation in hydraulic systems.
There are different types of installation methods depending on the nature of the applications. Whether it is for maintenance procedure or a fresh new installation, different procedures are required. However, in both applications, there are common steps to execute to successfully install hydraulic seals.
The purpose of this blog is to provide you with 4 tips to install hydraulic seals in a safe environment.
4 Tips to Successful Hydraulic Seal Installation
Before starting your installation, consider the following:
• Inspect Installation Parts. Before the installation, inspect the parts that need to be sealed for any signs of damage. Scratches or cuts on the surface could lead installation failure and leakage.
• Prep and Clean Installation Tools and Seals. Before the installation, prep and clean the seals with lint-free cloths. Also, clean all installation tools to remove excess dust and other solid particles (chips, dirt and other foreign particles) that may affect the sealing performance, resulting in leakage.
• Protect Seal Surfaces. Next, protect seals from sharp corners and burrs to minimize surface damage.
• Lubricate Seals. Before the installation, lubricate the seal and its sealing path to prevent abrasion and enhance durability. Several lubricants used for this purpose: petroleum base, silicone grease or oil, barium grease, or fluorocarbon fluid. (Pro Tip: Select a lubricant that is compatible with the raw materials used to produce the seal.)
• Heat the Seals. Before the installation, heat the seals to improve hydraulic seals’ elasticity. You can also soak the seal in hot lubricant to soften the seal installation. However, do not heat the seal beyond its temperature limit to minimize damage to installation parts. Also, do not heat the seal when it is stretched. This will lead to reduction in size of the seal.
To ensure an optimal and efficient seal installation, use the right tools to eliminate the chances of denting or damages to installation parts and seals. Although these tips seem basic, they will lead you towards successful seal installation. However, following these tips will not ensure optimal success.
As an application user, you must review the user manual provided along with the purchase of hydraulic seals. This manual will include essential procedures to properly install hydraulic seals. Read and understand the installation procedures and follow the steps carefully for successful installation. If you have any questions, stop the installation process and seek a professional technician. You can also contact the manufacturer for further clarification.
Make sure you clearly understand the hydraulic seal installation procedures and best practices before starting the project. Good luck!
Partner with Real Seal
To help you identify the best materials to install hydraulic seals, contact Real Seal to create a customized solution and value for your business.
Real Seal manufactures and distributes seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.
O-rings, also known as packing or toric joints, are hoop shaped gaskets designed for machinery. The difference between O-rings and more commonly referred to gaskets is that O-rings are almost exclusively used for very high-pressure applications such as hydraulics where a regular cork, paper or rubber gasket would fail. O-rings are usually compressed between two or more larger parts during assembly, creating a seal. They are used to keep fluid or air in or out of a defined space.
Although they are traditionally round in shape and come in standard sizes, you may be able to buy custom O-rings in variable sizes and shapes.
They are extremely common in machine design due to their affordability, reliability, and simple mounting requirements.
For more on industrial O-rings and mechanical component goods, contact Real Seal today for export performance solutions.
But what are Encapsulated O-Rings?
Traditional O-rings are made from elastomer. Elastomer is a synthetic rubber-like material which, at room temperature, can be easily bent or stretched and, when released, quickly returns to its approximate original dimensions and shape. Under normal conditions this is very useful. But sometimes, high temperatures or corrosive conditions make the use of the use of elastomer unacceptable. In these cases, we turn to O-rings made from other materials that can withstand harsher conditions.
What are Encapsulated O-Rings made of?
Encapsulated O-rings have two parts: an inner core made of flexible rubber, and an outer jacket made of Teflon. The rubber gives the O-ring elasticity, and the Teflon gives it protection against corrosion and resistance to high temperatures.
Core Types
Solid Core: Solid core O-rings are filled with either solid Viton® / FKM or silicone. The Viton offers high level compression and elastic qualities. The Silicon is very similar, but because it is softer, it works better under a wider range of temperatures.
Hollow Core: Hollow core Encapsulated O-rings are used in situations where extreme elasticity is needed for maximum flexibility.
Jacket Types
The Teflon jacket of Encapsulated O-rings can be made of either FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) or PFA (perfluoroalkoxy-copolymer). FEP: FEP jacketed O-rings offer resistance to a variety of destructive chemicals. They can be operated under a very wide range of temperatures.
PFA: PFA jackets have many of the same benefits as the FEP jackets. In addition, they are mechanically stronger and resist stress and cracking more efficiently. PFA jacketed O-rings are usually used in situations where extreme durability and thermal stability are required. They also offer a longer service life.
How Are Encapsulated O-Rings Used?
Because their jacket may be damaged by quick-moving parts, encapsulated O-rings are best suited for static machines. However, they may also be used in machines that make slow, short movements such as in valve stem sealing. Powders and slurries can also damage the jackets. Sometimes, these issues can be addressed by adding graphite to the FEP or PFA, making the jackets more durable.
What are the Advantages of Using Encapsulated O-rings?
There are plenty of advantages to using Encapsulated O-rings beyond those already mentioned. They exhibit excellent resistance to nearly all media, with exceptions being alkali metals and some fluorine compounds. They are very well suited for use in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries because they are FDA compliant, and also due to their low contamination and low permeation, among other reasons. Finally, their major lack of friction is preventative of the “stick-slip” effect.
When Should Encapsulated O-rings Not be Used?
As previously mentioned, encapsulated O-rings should not be used in dynamic applications because the outer jacket could be damaged. For the same reason, they should not be used with abrasive media. They cannot be used under high pressure or when highly elongated.
Where are Encapsulated O-rings made?
The two top producing countries of encapsulated O-rings are India and China.
Industrial O-Rings
Real Seal was established in 1970 as a distributor of industrial O-rings, and has since grown into a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components. We possess the ability to assist with design challenges, and can custom make materials to meet your specifications. Real Seal offers real solutions at a terrific value.
Fish can make great pets and an aquarium is a great aesthetic addition to any home or office. However, if you have never owned fish or had an aquarium, it may be overwhelming to think about what is all needed and required to get one set up. Below are a few helpful tips for building the perfect home aquarium.
Saltwater or Freshwater Fish
The first step in building the perfect home aquarium is deciding on whether you want saltwater or freshwater fish. There is a difference and you cannot mix up the two types of fish in the same tank. Freshwater aquariums are typically easier to maintain and, if you are just starting out, it may be a better choice over a saltwater tank. Additionally, freshwater fish are typically less expensive than saltwater fish. Saltwater fish, however, can be extremely exotic-looking and the live rocks inside the saltwater tank can be helpful in the maintenance of saltwater tanks.
Choose Your Fish
Once you have decided whether or not you want saltwater or freshwater fish, you will want to determine what kind of fish you want. This is helpful in figuring out what size and type of aquarium you will want built. For example, if you want goldfish, it is important to know that goldfish will only dwell with other goldfish and you cannot combine them with other fish. Another example is if you want betta fish, you cannot comingle more than one male betta fish, as they will fight until inevitable death. With movies like Disney’s Finding Nemo, the demand for clownfish (like Nemo) and blue tang fish (like Dory) have increased dramatically. These are saltwater fish and will require a saltwater tank. Your local pet or fish store can assist you in choosing the right fish for you and the tank you wish to set up.
Tank Size and Placement
The first step in determining what size tank you will need is figuring out where you wish to place the aquarium. Generally speaking, saltwater aquariums require a larger tank (anywhere from 20 to 30 gallons or more) and will need more space to accommodate such a large tank. Additionally, as you’re evaluating tank size, you will want to consider tank placement in your home. It is important to keep your tank away from direct sunlight, which will help to regulate the water temperature. Additionally, you will want to keep the tank a safe distance from children, pets, and other hazards (including electrical appliances and gadgets). As for tank size, it really depends on the type of fish you are looking at getting. For example, a male betta fish only requires a small bowl, while if you are looking for a tank to hold a variety of fish, you are typically looking at a 5 to 10 gallon tank.
If you are first-time fish owner, you may wish to start small with either a single male betta fish bowl or a larger bowl with 2 to 3 goldfish. This will be helpful in getting a feel for what it’s like to have a fish as a pet and to have to care after a smaller “tank”, before graduating up to a larger tank which comes with a greater degree of maintenance.
Setting Up Your Home Aquarium
Whether you are looking to set up a small bowl or a 30-gallon tank, you will need some or all of the following to properly set up your aquarium:
• Gravel, sand or marbles for the bottom of the tank (making sure to get the kind that is specifically intended for fish tanks)
• Plants, coral, rocks and other decorations
• Filter to help keep the water clean
• Aerator to help increase the oxygen levels in the water
• Water conditioner to help purify tap water and keep harmful chemicals (like chlorine) from killing your fish
• Heater to help regular the water temperature
Depending on your tank and the type of fish you want, it is helpful to know how best to set up and introduce your fish to their new home. There are proper steps, including testing the water’s temperature and pH levels. Additionally, you will want to gradually introduce your fish to their new home by keeping them in the bag that they come in and placing that bag into the aquarium for 15 to 30 minutes. By doing this, you help ensure that your fish becomes gradually acclimated to the temperature of the aquarium and does not die from shock.
Additionally, you don’t want to add too many fish all at once. A common mistake that people make is overcrowding the aquarium. Not only does this make cleaning and maintaining the aquarium more difficult, but fish need to be given enough room to roam and thrive.
Properly Maintain Your Aquarium
Another major step in having the perfect home aquarium is to be sure that you properly maintain and take care of your aquarium (and your fish!). An improperly cared for fish tank will result in the demise of your beloved fish. It is important that you properly take care of the aquarium by regularly testing the water for the appropriate pH levels, carbonate hardness, nitrite and nitrate levels. Additionally, every month, you will want to replace approximately 25% of the water with fresh new water and also clean the aquarium walls and vacuum the gravel to get rid of any waste that may have settled.
In conclusion, building your perfect home aquarium can be a very gratifying and entertaining process, particularly if you make it a fun activity to do with the entire family. Aquariums are a great addition to any home or office space. By properly taking the steps to build and maintain your aquarium, you can continue to enjoy your happy, healthy fish for many months and years to come!
Industrial Seal Products
For a closer look at our diverse family of seal products and mechanical components, contact Real Seal today.
Whether you’re going to the beach, diving, or hiking, these waterproof cameras are holiday must-haves to add to the wish list.
If you’re escaping the holidays for daring outdoor adventures, the chances are you’re going to get close to some water in the deep blue sea to capture subaquatic scenes. It’s also likely you’ll want to commemorate your underwater adventures, but most cameras won’t make it out alive with the perfect shot.
Thankfully, there’s shock-proof and freeze-proof, and crush-proof waterproof cameras on the market. These rugged cameras don’t stop there. You’ll also find many with fun features such as GPS location tagging, Wi-Fi connectivity and action-oriented extras like compass or altimeter.
Action-packed, our top picks for the best waterproof cameras will give you all latest tech in one compact for easy travel.
For just $449, the TG-5’s exceptional build quality is built to survive pretty much anything you could throw at it. Its ergonomic design and well-designed controls make it weather-resistant and includes bonus features such as GPS sensor, pressure, compass and temperature sensor.
Things to consider: Great for raw format support and range of accessories, the TG-5 faults at image smoothing at high ISOs and zoom control inconsistencies.
For under $400, the W300 is the ideal choice if you want to go deep underwater. Fully loaded with host of features, the W300 has 4K video, a terrific GPS system, interactive world map and Wi-Fi connectivity, and an altimeter and underwater depth gauge to boot. It also offers high resolution, 921k dot OLED monitor and the function at a depth of 30 meters.
Things to consider: Great for waterproof depths to 30 meters and its wide zoom range, the W300 faults at fiddly controls and exposure inconsistencies.
For under $300, the FT5 (called the TS5 in the US) provides a focal range of 28-128mm and is optically stabilized to smooth out camera shake. Its bright LCD monitor makes it easy to compose your shots while the autofocus system and accurate exposure metering ensure images are processed to precision, whether you’re above or under water.
Things to consider: Great for fast AF performance and full-featured GPS, the FT5/TS5 faults at image smoothing at high ISOs and weak flash.
For under $450, the D30 is a little dated compared to the models above but still a well-designed compact with easy-to-use oversized controls for operational use. The D-30 is also a waterproof wonder, going down to 25 meters, but aside from this and its ergonomic features, its been surpassed by the competition.
Things to consider: Great for ergonomic design and white balance performance, the D30 faults at poor GPS functionality and no built-in Wi-Fi. Its 12.1MP sensor and DIGIC 4 processor show its age and generates noticeable levels of noise at ISO 400 and above.
Real Seal manufactures and distributes industrial seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.
When you think of rubber, elastic bands, car tires or pencil erasers come to mind. But this stretchy material actually finds its way into thousands of other products such as rubber stamps, waterproof shoes, surfing wetsuits, swimming caps, and hoses. Due to the material’s versatility, rubber applications are almost endless.
Rubber, a commonly used material for over 1000 years, originated from natural resources or chemical plants.
To help you identify the best materials to source for your business, contact Real Seal to create a customized solution and value for your business.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber, made from a runny, milky white liquid called latex, is derived from certain plants such as dandelions. While there are over 200 plants in the world that can produce latex, over 99% of the world’s natural rubber is made from the latex that is derived from a tree species called Heva Brasilensis, also known as rubber tree.
Latex made from Heva Brasilensis is about one third water and one third rubber particles held in a form known as colloidal suspension. Natural rubber is made of thousands of basic C5H8 units (the monomer of isoprene) loosely joined to make long, tangled chains. These chains of molecules can be pulled apart and untangled and put back together if you release them, which is what makes rubber elastic.
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic rubbers are made in chemical plants using petrochemicals. One of the first and best-known petrochemicals is neoprene. Neoprene is made by reacting together acetylene and hydrochloric acid.
Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber, another synthetic rubber, is also widely used for making rubber, specifically vehicle tires.
How is Rubber Made?
Rubber made from rubber trees using a traditional process called rubber tapping, involves making a wide, V-shaped cut in the tree’s bark. As the latex drips out, it’s collected in a cup and the latex from many trees is then filtered, washed, and reacted with acid to make the particles of rubber coagulate. The rubber then makes its way into pressed slabs or sheets where it is then dried and ready for the next stages of production.
Unprocessed rubber, itself, is not useful. Unprocessed, it is brittle when cold and smelly and sticky when it warms up. Further processing is required to create a much more versatile material.
The first of which is known as mastication. Mastication machines “chew up” raw rubber using mechanical rollers and presses to make it softer and easier to work with. After the rubber has been masticated, extra chemical ingredients are mixed in to improve its properties. Then, the rubber is squashed into shape by rollers in a process called calendaring or squeezed through shaped holes to make hollow tubes in a process called extrusion. Lastly, the rubber is vulcanized (cooked) with sulfur and heated to 140°C (280°F).
Rubber Applications
Rubber is used in diverse ways in everyday items. With its strong, stretch, flexible, durable, and waterproof properties, you can find it in waterproof clothes and wellington boots, sticking plasters, and adhesives. You can also find it in vehicle tires for wheels of cars, bicycles and trucks.
In fact, rubber can be made either soft or hard to make everyday things from pencil erasers, birthday balloons, condoms, protective gloves, and paints. Harder materials are needed for tougher rubber applications such as roofing membranes, waterproof butyl liners in garden ponds and inflatable boats used by scuba divers. It’s strong flexible property also lends itself ideal for electrical cables, fiber-optic cables, and heat pipes.
Partner with Real Seal
Real Seal manufactures and distributes seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.
Technology continues to expand and create the impossible to possible. Today, the potential of 3D printing is astounding. With a global technology spend to increase from $11 billion in 2015 to nearly $27 billion in 2019, the innovation of 3D printing is only in its infant stages.
The technology may not be talked about in mainstream media as much as it was a couple years ago, but it has undergone some significant changes and developments. Today, 3D printing plays a vital role in creating prototypes for use in the aerospace, automotive, engineering, and medical sectors.
3D printing has been described as a valuable part of every stage in the product development process, but has yet to make a break through here. But in the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, 3D printing shined bright.
What’s Trending in 3D Printing for 2017
Here’s a fun fact: Two-thirds of industrial manufacturing firms are already using 3D printing in their day-to-day operations. As it continues to evolve and emerge into each sector, it is evident that 3D printing is here to stay. Here are the trends that are emerging this year:
Better Software
For design and manufacturing to be more efficient, better software is needed to create the 3D object to be printed. But software alone does not suffice. Software and hardware need to work together to successfully create 3D printing and what the sector needs is one package for both subtractive and additive manufacturing.
One such product is Netfabb, a single portfolio that combines multiple manufacturing applications into one package. It uses a new file extension, 3MF, which has extensions for machine properties, lattice structures and more.
Smaller Products
3D printing doesn’t only produce large parts. While most of what we’ve seen are manufactured in big parts, it is evident that there is a need for the creation of small and compact parts. This is particularly true in medical and dental sectors, where 3D printing can produce millions of hearing aids, dental appliances or aligners and crowns.
The only setback here is pricing and costs. Small 3D parts are expensive to manufacture; however, this will change when more companies begin to adopt the use of technology to create their own prototypes and products, helping to regulate pricing.
Wider Applications
From prototypes to production, 3D printing is making a shift from small-run prototypes to end-use production parts. As the number of advancements around the technology develops, research and production teams are evaluating the feasibility of evolving their 3D application from prototypes to production.
One such advancement is in materials. Several resins and metal powders meet industrial requirements while delivering the part quality and production cost effectiveness needed to keep 3D printing competitive in the market. As we head into 2018, improvements in material availability and cost, continued 3D printer technology developments and more experience in design applications will all contribute to the wider application of 3D printing.
Partner with Real Seal
To help you identify the best materials to source for your 3D printing business, contact Real Seal to create a customized solution and value for your business.
Real Seal manufactures and distributes seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.
