Seals and Bearings

... Task 1 (p3) O-rings An O-Ring is a gasket consisting of a flat ring of rubber or plastic; used to seal a joint against high pressure. It is the most popular seal used in mobile hydraulics, and is usually made from synthetic rubber e.g. Nitrile, Neoprene, Ethylene Propylene and Silicone. They can also be made of fibre, leather or synthetic plastic. No hydraulic system can operate without proper seals. They hold in the fluid and keep out dirt, grime and water. A Successful O-ring joint design needs a rigid mechanical mounting that applies a predictable deformation to the O-ring. This causes a calculated stress at the O-ring contacting surfaces. As long as the pressure of the fluid being contained does not exceed the contact stress of the O-ring, leaking cannot occur. The flexible nature of an O-ring allows for defects in the mounting parts, but it is still important to maintain good surface finish

want to read more? →