An O-ring is a round elastomer that has been designed to connect and compress two or more assembled parts. This creates a seal at the interface so that no spaces are left. Most of these O-rings are made of rubber that tend to prevent any fluids or air from passing through to the other part.
An O-ring that has been properly installed will give a perfect and excellent sealing, how the installation is done matters a lot since it would be hard for it to function if there was no proper installation. Proper installation will also ensure that their application lasts for long. O-rings ensure that there are no leaks and failures of the products in the future. Different types of O-rings can be used in the market, and therefore you should be able to tell the kind of O-ring you need for your installation. Below are two types of O-rings discussed and their components.
Viton O-ring
This is an all-round ring that is specially designed to handle a lot of various applications and sealing installations that involve a lot of movements. Silicone fluids and gases are best suited to be used in such rings. It is not recommended for one to use Viton or hot hydraulic acids and therefore be careful to note this before installing them. The rings are stored in Viton kits to safeguard them since they are highly volatile.
Nitrile O-rings
These are also known as NBR that are typically general purpose seals that are designed with a tear resistance. Due to their favourable temperature conditions, they can be used in water, petroleum oils, and some hydraulic fluids. They are, however, not advisable to be used in automotive brake fluids, ketones, phosphates, among others. It tends to perform better in applications that do not have a high temperature, and their resistant requirements are minimal.
Viton and NBR kits are essential to the O-rings since they protect the rings from any atmospheric damage of getting contaminated, which might ruin their long lustiness during and after installation.
Essential Tips For The Installation Of O-Rings.
Installation of these O-rings should not just be done, but there are essential tips that should not be left out. It is the sole reason why you should look for a specialist to do the installations if you do not know how to install them.
- Ensure that you cover the shaft, which consists of threading that is at a high risk of tearing the rubber seal. You can use masking tape to cover the threads so that they do not tear.
- Do not use force while installing these O-rings, especially where there are sharp corners. These kinds of sharp corners will tear the O-ring, and most of the tears might not be easily noticeable. This is why you should avoid using them over sharp corners.
- When stretching, the Viton and NBR O-rings ensure that you stretch it evenly and not from one side only. The stretch should be little so that it provides a tighter grip and security.
- Installation of the rings should only be done sliding downwards but not rolling it down the shaft. If you roll the ring, you will not be able to install it properly and will only damage it or will not function properly.
The installation of Viton and NBR O-rings should properly be done, and extra care should be taken during this action. The proper functionality of these rings depends on how they are installed. When shopping for these rings, ensure that they are properly in their Viton and NBR kits so that there are safety and guarantee that the rings will not fail during installation.
