When dealing with any manner of machinery or industrial applications, the important role o-rings play is undeniable. In our last article, we looked at when it can be time to buy a new seal and what factors can lead to premature deterioration. Continuing further with the aspect of preventing deterioration, we’re going to offer some quick tips on how to keep your o-rings, which typically play a big role in proper sealing, well-preserved for the longest operational life possible.
So let’s discuss what you can do.
Choose the Right O-Ring
Now, this may seem like an obvious and possibly patronizing statement, but it is actually a very important factor to take into consideration at all times. Depending on the machinery or application at hand, your o-ring material may differ.
We touched on this previously, but remember that factors such as moisture, temperature, how dynamic or static the application is, and others can all dictate the applicable materials. O-ring materials comprise several variations, including:
- Silicone
- Polyurethane
- Viton / fluorocarbon
- Ethylene-Propylene (EPDM)
Different materials work better for different applications, such as silicone seals often being a good choice for high-temperature applications. If an o-ring is being used on scuba gear, a material such as Buna-N (aka nitrile) could be a solid option. If an application expels hot water and/or steam, EPDM could be a good suit.
Cleaning and Maintenance
While all o-rings are respectively designed to last and endure when installed to the right application, typical cleaning and maintenance is always worthwhile. Of course, it’s possible that you may not be able to do this for certain o-rings – such as where removing them could lead to problems with the machinery or application they were installed on as they may need to operate constantly.
However, for those where you can stop the application and clean the o-ring, methods differ. Some may involve immersing the o-ring (dependent on its material) in an acidic solution that will eat away at hardened grit that has managed to calcify on its exterior. If the o-ring isn’t inflicted with calcium or hardened chemicals, then you may be able to simply remove slime or grime with a simpler cleaning solution or even water.
However, such efforts are on a case-by-case basis and entirely dependent on what the o-ring can or cannot withstand.
On the maintenance front, this involves regularly checking the o-rings for any signs of wear, tear, or general damage. So if you notice any cracks, warping, or thinning, consider your next step. Can the issue be resolved through some general repairs or would it be best to replace the affected o-ring(s) with a new one?
Regularly revising your o-rings will allow you to better maintain it and catch any damage before it could turn into a catastrophic problem.
To ensure you get the best o-rings for your applications, always hire a company that can provide custom made o-rings backed by decades of experience. Contact Real Seal today.
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Image source: Ilja at the German language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
