® Menu cart O-Ring Failure Chart Troubleshooting Guide Learn What Causes 0-1 ing Failure and Solutions Premature o-ing failure is ten the result of improper gland design or compound selection. This section is designed to provide examples of ‘commen causes of o-ring falure. By correctly identifying the ong falure mode, changes inthe design or seal material can lea to improved seal performance. ‘Analysis ofthe seal application is crucial othe understanding of possible cing ‘alu. Most seal design i performed by component suppliers ‘and equipmant manufacturers. The designs are refined as experience is Gained. As quickly as process technology changes, however, the exper sce gained with seal design may net be relevant othe latest process technology. "Need a custom product design or custom material formulation to improve perlormance ina spectc application to separate yoursalf rom the compsttion? Let us prove how responsive our product and application engineers are and thal our custom products and custom materials often cost less than aur competitors standards. O-Ring Size - Gland Design (O-Ring Failure Description: The O-Ring does nol perform as expected without visual damage. Contributing Factors: Incorec! groove or gland design, Improper o-ing sizing. Hardware éamage or misalignment. Suggested Solutions: Underperforming O-Ring seals can typically be Improved by optimizing the O-Ring size or gland {esa forthe spectic application conditions Refer fo aur O-Ring cland design quide for general recommendations while understanding mult factor application design can involve estimated tradoots that rogue testing establish performance expectations ‘Compression Set (O-Ring Fallure Description: The seal extcits a fat sided cross-section, tne fat sides coresponding tothe mating seal surfaces. Contributing Factors: Excossive compression. Excessive tomparat compression Sot Excessive volume swell in chemical ‘Suggested Solutions: Low compression set elastomer. Proper gland design forthe specie elastomer. Confirm material ‘compat ‘Over Compression (Ring Failure Description: The seal exhiits paral! fat surfaces (corresponding tothe contact areas) and may develop Ccrcurerential splits within the fattened surfaces, Contributing Factors: Improper design—iilure to account fr thermal or cherical volume changes, or excessive compression. ‘Suggested Solutions : Gland design should tako into account material responses to chemical and termal environments Incomploaly cured elastomer. Elastomer with high Explosive Decompression (O-Ring Fallure Description: The seal exhibits blisters, pts or pocks on ts surface, Absorption of gas at high pressure and the subsequent pid decrease n pressure. The absorbed gas blisters and ruptures the elastomer surface asthe pressure Is rapidly removed. Contributing Factors: Rapid pressure changes, Low-medulusthardness elastomer Suggested Solutions : Higher-modulus/hardness elastomer, Shower decompression (release of pressure) Outgassing Extraction (O-Ring Failure Description: This failure is often vory siflcul to dotect from examination ofthe seal. The seal may oxibit a decrease in cross-sectional size, Contributing Factors: Improper or improperly cured elastomer. High vacuum levels. Low harcnessplasticzed elastomer. Suggested Solutions: Avoid plasticized elastomers. Ensure al seals are propery pos-cure to minimize outgassing Installation Damage (Ring Failure Description: Tho soa or pats of tho soal may exhibit smal cuts, nicks or gashos. Contributing Factors: Sharp edges on glands or components. improper sizing of elastomer. Lowmodulushardness clastomer, Elastomer surface contamination, Suga elastomer Abrasion - Friction (Ring Failure Description: The sea or pats ofthe eal exhibit a flat surface parallel othe direction or mation. Loose panicles and serages may be found on the seal sutaco, Contributing Factors: Rough sealing surfaces. Excessive temperature, Process environment containing abrasive particles Dynamic motion, Poor elastomer surface ish id Solutions: Remove all sharp edges. Proper glard dasign Proper elastomer sizing, Higher modulusharéness 00000 0 0 Iremmantar nha safara friches Consitar intemal had elaclomare Etminale ahvacve 12‘components Extrusion (Pressure or Oversized Gland Clearance Gap) (O-Ring Fallure Description: The scal develops ragged edges (gonorlly on tho low-pressure side) which appear taltred. Contributing Factors: Excessive clearances, Excessive pressure, Low-modulusihardness elastomer, Excessive gland fl regular clearance gaps. Sharp gland edges Improper sizing ‘Suggested Solutions: Decrease clearances, Higher-modulushhard-ness elastomer. Proper gland design, Use of palmer backup rings. Spiral Twisting Failure (O-Ring Fallure Description: The seal exhis cuts or marks which spiral around its circumference Contributing Factors: Dificult or tight instalation (sla), Slow reciprocating spees. Low-modulusinardness regular Oing surtace frish (inctucing excessive paring lire). Excessive gland width. lreguar or rough gland surface finish, Inadequate lubrication, ‘Suggested Solutions: Correct instalation procedures. Higher-modulis elastomer. Intermally lubed alastomers, Proper gland {des gh, Gland eurface fish of &-76 microinen RMS. Possible Use of polymer nackup rings. tomer ‘Thermal Degradation (0-Ring Failure Description: The seal may exhibit radial eracks located onthe highest temperature surfaces, In adliton, cattan elastomers may exhibit signs of sftening—a shiny surface as a result of excessive temperatures. Contributing Factors: Elastomer thermal properties. Excossve temperature excursions o: eying ‘Suggested Solutions: Selection of an elastomer with improved thermal stably. Evaluation ofthe possibilty of cooling sealing suraces. Chemical Degradation (O-Ring Fallure Description: The seal may extibil many signs of deg-acaton including bites, racks, voids oF discoloration In some cases, the degradation is observable only by measurement of physical properties, Contributing Factors: Incompatity withthe chemical andor thermal environment, ‘Suggested Solutions: Selection of more chemicaly resistant alastomer. Plasma Degradation (O-Ring Faure Description: The sea often exhots discoloration, as well as powdered residue onthe surface and possible erosion of elastomer in the exposed areas, Contributing Factors: Chemical reactivity of the plasma. lon bombardment (sputtering). Electron bombardment (neting). Improper gland design. Incompatible seal material ‘Suggested Solutions: Plasma-compatile elastomer ane compound. Mnimze exposed area. Examine gland design 000 0 0 [Nood a custom product design or custom material formulation to improve perormance ina spectc application to separate yourself rom the competion? Lotus prove how responsive our product and application engineers are and thal our custom products and custom materials ellen cost less than our competiors standards Back o the O-Ring Page NGS ONLINE REQUEST AQL @MARCO Cf cous RUGGER'& PLASTICS (® VIEW SITE-WIDE LIST OF REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. Copyright 1995-2020 Marco Rubber & Plastics, LLC. All Rights Reserves. Sile Map. About Us Biling & Malling Address: Shipping Address: ‘Addltional Offices: Marco Rubber Marco Rubber Providence, RI 200-775-6525 200-775-6525 Philadelphia, PA PO Box 1160 235 Woodworkars Way Los Angeles, CA ‘Seabrook, NH 09874 Seabrook, NH 03674 22