What are the methods used to produce the product?

The process of manufacturing starts with the acquisition of best quality elastomer. The
elastomer is being prepared using extruded and then the O-ring is moulded using an injection
moulding unit within a moulding presses. 1 There is another method being adopted by industries
in the past for the manufacturing of O-ring gaskets in which the gaskets were produced using a
preform(mould) which can produce several gaskets in single moulding. There exists a segment
between all these gaskets through which it could be separated easily. The manufacturing
process is then followed by sorting and quality to control to ensure only the best quality
product can make its way to the market. 2
What polymers are used? Why? What Additives are present?
O-ring has a vast range of application in different industries. The material used for the
fabrication varies based on the application and operating conditions in which the O-ring gasket
is required to be used. Mostly O-rings are made of rubber which is also called elastic polymer or
elastomer. the material required for the manufacturing is selected based on environment for
which the O-ring is required.3 The designers and the contractor make the selection of O-rings
based on the efficiencies and deficiencies of specific type in certain environment. The selection
is either make based on the temperature, pressure, pH and shear stress or based on the
working experience. There are different types of the materials. Such as
nitrile (Buna-N) it is being used for a temperature range of -54 oC to 150oC. the O-ring with this
material is best suited for petroleum oils, water and hydraulic fluids. It is not advisable to be
used for automotive brake fluid, ketones, phosphate esters and halogenated hydrocarbons. The
second material used is ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) it also works for the same
temperature range. It has ability to survive in corrosive environment also works well with
skydrol and different hydraulic fluids i.e. steam, water silicon oils and alcohols. This material
type gasket is not recommended for a wide range of application due to its high wear and tear
issue. Fluorocarbon is also used to produce O-ring it has very versatile applications in
automotive, appliance and chemical processing industries. The Gasket made of Neoprene is
used for the refrigerant systems. It is not very resistant to lubricants and oxygen. Polyurethane
is used to produce O-rings for the abrasive and extrusion related applications due to its high
toughness. Silicone gaskets are used for high temperature range 84 oC to 230oC. PTFE material is
used for the manufacturing of O-rings that are required for high shear applications such as
paint gun and automotive steering devices etc. 4
Along the type of polymer used for the manufacturing of O-ring there are many other additives
added for the manufacturing of gaskets to enhance certain properties. It may include powdered
zinc oxide, stearic acid, dibenzyl sebacate, wax plasticizer, cure accelerator, vulcanization agent
and phenol-beta-naphthylamine. 2
References:

1. Fluroelastomeri B-PO in. Manufacturing process. https://www.o-rings.eu/processo-

lavorazione.asp. Published 2019.
2. George P. Leistensnider M, Gaskets MO. Method For Making O-ring gasket. 1960:5.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2945263A/en.
3. KB DELTA. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF O-RINGS? https://kbdelta.com/blog/different-
types-o-rings.html. Published 2020.
4. Thomas. Choosing O-Rings Based on Material Makeup. 2020:4.
https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/o-rings-material-makeup/.