Nearly all operations require seals, but each application has its own challenges and factors to be considered when choosing the right o-ring. Vacuum and high-temperature environments have unique challenges, where choosing the right design and material are essential to maintaining seal integrity. Here are a few things to consider for each application type:
Vacuum
In order to maintain the pressure required for a vacuum, o-rings are used to close off any air from entering through spaces in joints. While an application being a vacuum is only one factor when deciding which seal is required, it does have its own unique requirements. Usually, the o-ring is coated with a low-vapor pressure grease. This grease coating can improve the sealing effect and flushness of the seal to its sealing surface.
O-rings in vacuum applications must be solid and be able to maintain their structure without cracks, holes, or weakening. As the ring degrades, so does the pressure inside the sealed system, reducing the effectiveness of the vacuum. In these types of operations, it’s also imperative for the o-ring to be able to keep out any possible contaminants that might be sucked in by the vacuum, which can cause a host of issues depending on the specific operation.
The vacuum itself will also increase the damage done to the seal as it is in itself a force acting on the material. So, a seal that can withstand the constant pressure of a vacuum is essential to an efficient operation.
High-Temperature Applications
Temperature is a more common concern for sealing operations. Movement, friction, vibration, and direct heating all contribute to the operating temperature of a given application. So, in order to know how hot an operation will get, it really must be tested within the entire system as the compounded effect can be much larger than expected of a specific part of the system.
There is a wide range of materials that can stand higher temperature ranges, so considering the other factors, as well, are important. When an o-ring is heated, it may change the properties of the seal, making it more susceptible to deformation. Having a seal that can withstand all these factors acting upon it is imperative.
Silicone rubber is a material with an extremely high heat tolerance of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. If the needs of your operation aren’t so extreme, something like nitrile (250 degrees Fahrenheit) or polyurethane rubber (300 degrees Fahrenheit) may also serve the needs.
Typical
While there isn’t really a “typical” sealing operation as all factors need to be considered, the challenges are reduced when vacuum sealing or high-temperature operations aren’t an issue. Some other things to consider when choosing what kind of seal will work best include: chemical composition of the product, amount of action and force acting on the seal, friction, environment, and water. Whether an application is static or dynamic (moving) is also a huge influence on what kind of seal is necessary. All of these factors can weaken the wrong type of seal, so knowing the full range is imperative. No variable should go unchecked against the properties of a seal and what it is weak to.
Finding the Right Seal
Finding the right seal for your application can be hard. This process is even more difficult when high-temperature and vacuum-sealed operations are involved. When choosing a seal, it’s best that you consult an expert. Real Seal have the expertise to guide you to the right seal or even design a new seal to fit your needs.
They have worked with a variety of industries and companies over the decades, making them unparalleled veterans in the sealing industry. Contact Real Seal today to ensure your seals don’t fail!
