When designing a product, you may need a buffer or sealing reinforcement for a round component. The O-ring is ideal for creating a seal between two parts, fitting snugly into a groove. It’s also ideal as a cushion between two moving parts. Silicone rubber products can be designed in a nearly endless combination of diameter, thickness, color and flexibility. When manufactured using the liquid silicone injection molding process, O-rings are quite durable and can match your design’s unique specifications.
Uses
O-rings are an important design element for systems using hydraulics, pneumatics, vacuums, friction and filtration. They’re instrumental in dynamic and static applications in aerospace, automotive, industrial and medical innovations, to name a few.
Sizes
If your product is unique, you might not be concerned about using standard sizes. For example, you may find during the design process that the right size opening is critical to balance, drainage or weight; you’ll need a custom size made from liquid silicone rubber. Since the parts are made using a precise molding method, or-rings to match the parts can be made to fit tight tolerances in large quantities at a low cost. On the other hand, if you’re using standard parts on industrial machinery
Types
Determining how your O-ring fits into threads or grooves is an important part of design. These elastomer loops can be flat or round. Parts that match grooves in bolts and caps ensure a tighter seal and prevent leakage in running systems. If your O-ring’s purpose is more to provide a cushion from pressure impact, the shape is still critical. This is common in medical device pumps, automotive pistons and industrial machine parts, for instance.
Colors
Choosing color is another important component of rubber O-ring design. Visibility is key. Will it be seen from the outside or by a mechanic? A mechanic would benefit from contrasting colors. Although this makes it easier to see joints, different colors such as black, white or red distinguish the O-ring’s purpose. Visual aesthetics when seen from the outside, however, would probably suggest a matching color. Quality silicone rubber manufacturers such as SiTECH can make the colors match to within one delta. When used for aerospace or medical silicone rubber products, the O-ring can be translucent to prevent obstruction of the view.
Compatibility
Look at what types of solids, fluids or gases will come in contact with the O-ring. While air and water are standard fare for silicone rubber products, they can also withstand exposure to other liquids and gases, including steam, a wide range of saline solutions, and vegetable-based and animal-based oils and grease. Non-silicone rubber materials can become brittle or crack when exposed to these same fluids, gases and extreme temperatures.
Standards
Your company may already have a set of standards in place to help you determine what size, type, thickness and style of silicone rubber O-ring to use for your design. If not, you may find it easier to consult engineers familiar with the liquid silicone injection molding and manufacturing process. If you’re planning to use our services for the manufacture of O-rings, our SiTECH engineers can assist you in building the proper parameters into your design. Our experience in making quality silicone rubber products can help you find the ideal match for your project’s parameters.
For more information about O-ring and silicone rubber manufacturing compatibility for your product, contact SiTECH today.
