O-Ring Technical Resources
Complete technical documentation for O-ring design, selection, and troubleshooting. Our engineering guides help optimize seal performance and prevent common failure modes.
Technical Resource Categories
📐 Design & Engineering
🔬 Materials & Chemistry
🔧 Installation & Maintenance
Featured Technical Guides
O-Ring Groove Design Guide
Complete specifications for static and dynamic O-ring groove design including dimensions, tolerances, and surface finish requirements.
- Static seal groove calculations
- Dynamic seal groove design
- Surface finish requirements
- Corner radius specifications
- Clearance gap guidelines
O-Ring Failure Analysis Guide
Identify and prevent common O-ring failure modes with our comprehensive troubleshooting and prevention guide.
- Visual failure mode identification
- Root cause analysis methods
- Prevention strategies
- Case study examples
- Material upgrade recommendations
Design Calculation Tools
| Calculation Type | Formula | Application | Typical Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static Groove Width | CS × 1.5 | Face seal grooves | 0.105" for 0.070" CS |
| Dynamic Groove Width | CS × 2.0 | Reciprocating seals | 0.140" for 0.070" CS |
| Groove Depth | CS × 0.75 | 15-25% compression | 0.053" for 0.070" CS |
| Stretch Percentage | (Piston ⌀ - ID) / ID × 100 | Piston installations | 1-5% typical |
| Compression Set | (t₀ - t₁) / t₀ × 100 | Material aging | <25% acceptable |
Material Property Quick Reference
| Material | Temp Range (°F) | Best For | Avoid | Typical Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | -40°F to +248°F (-40°C to +120°C) | Oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids | Ketones, ozone, high temp | 70-90A |
| FKM | -4°F to +428°F (-20°C to +220°C) | Chemicals, high temp, fuels | Hot water, steam, amines | 75-90A |
| EPDM | -67°F to +302°F (-55°C to +150°C) | Water, steam, weather, ozone | Oils, fuels, solvents | 70-80A |
| Silicone | -65 to +450 | Food grade, extreme temps | Oils, fuels, concentrated acids | 40-80A |
| HNBR | -40 to +325 | High temp oils, automotive | Polar solvents, strong acids | 80-95A |
Pressure & Temperature Guidelines
🏋️ Pressure Rating Guidelines
| Hardness | Max Pressure (PSI) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 70 Shore A | Up to 1,500 | Low pressure, face seals |
| 80 Shore A | Up to 3,000 | Standard hydraulics |
| 90 Shore A | Up to 5,000 | High pressure systems |
| 95 Shore A+ | Above 5,000 | Extreme pressure |
🌡️ Temperature Derating
Pressure ratings decrease with increasing temperature:
- Room Temperature (70°F): 100% of rated pressure
- 200°F: Reduce pressure by 25%
- 300°F: Reduce pressure by 50%
- Above 350°F: Consult engineering
Installation Checklist
✅ Pre-Installation
- ☐ Verify correct O-ring size and material
- ☐ Inspect O-ring for damage or contamination
- ☐ Check groove dimensions and tolerances
- ☐ Clean all surfaces with appropriate solvent
- ☐ Verify surface finish meets specifications
- ☐ Apply compatible lubricant if specified
- ☐ Check for sharp edges or burrs
✅ During Installation
- ☐ Handle O-ring carefully to prevent damage
- ☐ Avoid overstretching during installation
- ☐ Ensure O-ring is not twisted or rolled
- ☐ Check for proper seating in groove
- ☐ Verify correct compression percentage
- ☐ Test for leakage at operating pressure
- ☐ Document installation for maintenance records
Industry Standards & Specifications
🏭 Industrial Standards
- AS568: Aerospace O-ring sizes
- ISO 3601: International O-ring standard
- DIN 3771: German O-ring standard
- MS28775: Military O-ring specification
- SAE AMS: Aerospace material specs
🧪 Testing Standards
- ASTM D2000: Automotive rubber classification
- ASTM D1414: Compression set testing
- ASTM D412: Tensile properties
- ASTM D471: Fluid immersion effects
- ASTM D1149: Ozone resistance
📋 Application Standards
- FDA CFR 177: Food contact materials
- USP Class VI: Medical device materials
- NSF/ANSI 61: Drinking water systems
- 3-A Sanitary: Dairy equipment
- WRAS: UK water regulations
Common Failure Modes & Prevention
| Failure Mode | Visual Signs | Root Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extrusion | Material squeezed into clearance gap | Excessive pressure or clearance | Use backup rings, reduce clearance |
| Compression Set | Permanent deformation | High temperature, time, stress | Better material, lower compression |
| Chemical Attack | Swelling, cracking, hardening | Incompatible fluid | Material compatibility testing |
| Thermal Degradation | Hardening, cracking, brittleness | Excessive temperature | High-temp material, cooling |
| Abrasion | Worn surfaces, rough texture | Poor lubrication, contamination | Better lubrication, filtration |
📚 Technical Resource Download Center
Professional engineering resources, specifications, and design tools for O-ring applications. All resources are available for immediate download.
Design & Engineering
Groove design specifications, CAD files, and engineering calculations
AS568 Groove Design Specifications
Complete groove dimension charts for all AS568 sizes with static and dynamic applications
O-Ring Groove CAD Templates
AutoCAD DWG templates for standard groove designs with dimensional tolerances
Compression & Stretch Calculator Excel
Advanced Excel workbook with macros for O-ring sizing and stress analysis
FEA Analysis Templates (ANSYS)
Finite element analysis templates for O-ring stress and deformation modeling
Material Specifications
Comprehensive material datasheets and compatibility charts
Complete Material Compatibility Matrix
Chemical compatibility chart for 500+ fluids across all elastomer types
ASTM D2000 Material Classification
Complete ASTM D2000 classification system with material selection guide
Temperature-Pressure Performance Charts
Graphical performance envelopes for all major O-ring materials
FDA & USP Certified Material List
Current list of FDA Title 21 and USP Class VI certified elastomers
Installation & Troubleshooting
Best practices, installation guides, and failure analysis resources
O-Ring Installation Best Practices
Step-by-step installation guide with common mistakes and prevention tips
Failure Analysis Visual Guide
Photo identification guide for common O-ring failure modes with solutions
Quality Control Inspection Checklist
Comprehensive QC checklist for incoming O-ring inspection and testing
Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Recommended inspection and replacement schedules by application type
Industry Standards
Standards documentation and compliance guides
ISO 3601 O-Ring Standard Summary
Key requirements from ISO 3601 series for O-ring design and applications
SAE AMS-R Aerospace Requirements
Aerospace material specifications and qualification requirements
MIL-SPEC Military Standards Guide
Military specification requirements for O-ring applications
API & ASME Sealing Standards
Oil & gas industry sealing requirements and best practices
Need Technical Support?
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