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O-rings are donut-shaped rings used in industry to seal off or prevent leakage of fluid or gas in an application.  The o-ring functions as a seal when installed in a gland or other cavity of a rigid component by deforming from the gland into any open passage into which fluid or gas might escape when compressed.

Applications for o-rings fall into two basic categories - Static and Dynamic.

In a Static Seal application the gland and the inserted o-ring are not subject to movement.  However, be aware that there may be some slight expansion or separation that occurs with fluid pressure.  Examples of static seals are bolt seals, pipe or tubing connector seals, and cover plate or plug seals.

Dynamic Seals are used in applications where some type of movement in relation to the chamber where the o-ring is inserted and the other component, like a rod or piston, takes place.  Dynamic Seal seals are defined by the dynamic movement of the application.

Some terminology defining o-ring seals by their specific application are as follows:

Reciprocating Seals: used in applications where both gland parts move in relation to each other, the o-ring rolls or slides back and forth with the movement of the piston and cylinder.

Oscillating Seals: There are two types of applications where the Oscillating Seal is used.  The first involves faucets or valve stems, where intermittent back and forth circular movements are applied.  The second type applies a continual oscillating movement, as in a timed or metering devise.  In both applications the seal assembly rotates in a circular motion causing the opposite component to rotate in relation to the o-ring.

Rotary Seals: Here the o-ring is part of a seal assembly that rotates around an axis in a continual direction, as in an engine shaft or the wheel of a fixed axle.

Seat Seals: These types of o-rings are used to close the flow passage of fluid or gas by distorting or deforming its shape when compressed, such as the seal in a spiral-threaded valve, floating check-valve, or solenoid plunger component.

Pneumatic Seals: This o-ring is applied to seal gas or vapor rather than fluid.  It is critical to consider elastomer compatibility if the temperature of the gas or vapor increases during compression.

Vacuum Seal: O-rings in this application must have a tighter leakage tolerance than the standard pressure seal.  The use of multiple seals is usual in a vacuum application to  ensure a complete seal.The outgassing properties of the sealing material are an important consideration in the selection of the proper seal in this application

O-rings can also be used to cushion or prevent metal to metal contact as referred to in a Cushion Installation.This application may be more familiar in conjunction with EMI/RFI terminology

O-rings are generally produced in an array of "elastomeric" materials but are also manufactured from Teflon® and  other plastic or metal materials, depending upon the seal application requirement.  Atlantic Rubber offers a full range of "elastomeric materials" to ensure meeting almost any seal application requirement.