Procuring O-rings For Sanitary Applications

By Author: Bob DuPont
Total Articles: 14
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When procuring O-rings, one needs to factor in variables such as materials, strength, size and tolerance. O-rings are made from many different compliant compounds and are available in many different sizes. When trying to identify the size of the O-ring needed, O-ring sizing cones are a great measurement tool for quick and easy identification.

O-rings are gaskets in the shape of a circle typically used to seal two or more parts together and to prevent the passing of air or fluid in or out of a defined space. Used extensively for sanitary purposes, they are used in the sanitary pipeline systems for the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries.

O-rings may be used in static applications or in dynamic applications where there is relative motion between two or more parts. O-rings are a kind of item that is used not just for sanitary purposes but a range of other applications as well. For instance, an underwater camera uses O-rings to keep water out while a scuba regulator deploys O-rings to prevent air from escaping. They can be used for any application where air or fluid has to be prevented from ...
... passing.

Sanitary industries need to stock O-rings in sufficient quantity as they suffer wear and tear quickly. You often need to replace them, so they should be handy. O-rings are made of mainly rubber, synthetics and poly materials. Although these cannot be custom made, the size should be accurate in measurement to perform effectively for the type of application.

When procuring O-rings, companies should rely on manufacturers that have a full line of products for sale. Look for O-rings made using EPDM, PTFE, Silicone Buna-N, FKM Fluoroelastomer, Tuf-Steel® FDA or USP Class VI compliant compounds. O-rings in standard as well as metric sizes should be available. Also, take into account the types of materials, hardness, size and tolerance of the O-ring. As O-rings cannot be made exactly to the needed dimensions every time, manufactures make them within range of their original dimensions.

O-rings are put into a groove and then squeezed between two surfaces. This makes O-rings take up the clearance and block the pathway. One of its attributes called memory enables O-rings to expand, sitting in a groove which is then compressed between two or more parts. O-rings will seal against a variety of materials, chemical and temperatures.

Various global standards for manufacturing of O-rings are AS-568A, BS 1806, SMS 1586, AS, AN, BS, AMS, DIN 3771, METRIC, JIS 2401, NAS, Custom & Special Standards. These are simple, yet highly critical, precision mechanical components. Various types of O-rings are suitable for different conditions and you need to choose them considering your requirements. The materials that the O-rings are made of may react differently to varied temperatures. If the temperature gets too low, the O-ring will get compressed and take longer than normal to regain its normal shape. A distorted seal will allow gas or liquid in, and will need to be replaced.

A top-of-the-line manufacturer will have adequate research and development as well quality assurance processes in place, making sure that the products that are mass-produced in the plant adhere to the quality standards. Well versed with the requirements of their clients, sanitary product companies will be able to deliver O-rings, rubber seals and gaskets as per specific requirements.

The writer of this article is associated with Rubber Fab Technologies Group, one of the most reputed gasket suppliers in the United States. They supply quality sanitary products to biopharmaceutical, food and beverage, dairy and semi-conductor industries.