‘O’ rings form the foundation of every industrial sealing application. They determine the optimum operation of the machine. For every machine to run well, it needs ‘O’ rings seals. Rubber ‘O’ rings are more effective due to their high adhesion to the surface. Selecting the right material for your ‘O’ rings is crucial for maximum functioning. This blog will address the comparison between Viton and silicon ‘O’ rings to illustrate their pros and cons.
O rings are the most commonly used seals and they prevent leakages in cylinders and valves. For a seal to be useful, it must withstand both dynamic and static forces posed by industrial machines. ‘O’ rings seals are used to seal. Both silicon and Viton’ O’ rings are made of different elastomers.
The elastomer used will have a significant impact on the properties and subsequent installation of an O ring. With that in mind, let’s look at the pros and cons of silicone O rings versus the pros and cons of Viton to find out which is the best sealing material.
Viton O-rings
Viton’ O’ rings are made of fluoropolymer elastomers and synthetic rubber. Viton fluoroelastomers produce high-performance and durable rubber material. That is why Viton O rings are highly preferred. Viton’ O’ rings are commonly used in both hydraulic and pneumatic applications. They are also suitable for transporting fuel, gas, oil, and other explosive chemicals. Viton O rings suppliers also supply seals, gaskets and tubing.
Pros of Viton ‘O’ Rings
Viton O rings are commonly preferred due to the following benefit.
- High resistance to chemical corrosion
- They can withstand a wide range of temperatures 400C to 2500C
- Low leakage permeability
- Resistance to ozone and UV degradation
- They can withstand high compression pressure
- Suitable for both static and dynamic operations
- They are durable
Cons of Viton ‘O’ Rings
However, Viton O rings have some limitations, just like everything else.
- They perform poorly under low temperatures because they become hard and fragile.
- They are relatively expensive.
Silicone O rings
Silicone O rings are made of silicone atoms and corresponding oxygen atoms. Due to the strong covalent bond between silicon and oxygen atoms, silicon o rings are highly resistant to heat than other elastomers. Silicon O rings are only applicable in static operations. Because of its low toxicity, thermal stability, and resistance to micro-bacterial development is the favoured choice in the food, beverage, and medical industries. Some silicone rubber grades can withstand temperatures as low as -100°C and as high as 315°C while remaining flexible. Silicon O ring suppliers also deliver other materials like horse pipes, sponges and edging strips.
Pros
- High heat resistance
- Less toxic
- Resistance to bacterial development
- Suitable for both high and low temperature
- They are relatively cheap
Cons
- Low resistance to wear and tear
- They have low impermeability.
In conclusion, Silicone’ O’ rings can be used in high-temperature applications or where environmental deterioration is a concern. They are limited to static rather than dynamic applications because of their lack of wear and tear resistance. Silicon O rings are cost-effective seals for static applications. Viton O rings, on the other hand, are a more versatile material that can seal both static and dynamically. Viton O rings have added fluoroelastomer which increases operating efficiency, longer service intervals, lower maintenance costs, and more dependable sealing. Viton’ O’ rings give an excellent return on investment by reducing the possibility of costly unscheduled downtime.
