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.
For more information on O-ring installation and seal components, contact Real Seal today.
Lubrication
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!
