The O-ring installation process is vital to the proper function and operation of numerous mechanical devices and applications. Used in many industrial sectors—transportation, aerospace, agriculture, medical, oil and gas, food, plumbing, and electronics to name a few—the familiar circular, ringed-shaped seals are indispensable mechanical components fitted on valves, pipes, pumps, shafts, couplings, and engines, to… Read more »
Proper rubber testing is crucial to avoid catastrophic gasket failure or seal failure during the operation of heavy-duty manufacturing and industrial applications. Rubber components are, in general, known for their durability, elasticity, strength, and reliability. Today, the vast majority of rubber products are made of elastomeric polymers, synthetic compounds that hold similar properties as natural… Read more »
Due to the diverse application requirements, sealing solutions for the oil and gas industry presents a number of unique challenges that are arguably not found in other industries. Oil and gas industrial processes encompass an entire supply chain consisting of upstream, midstream, and downstream production concerned with exploration and extraction, transportation, storage, and refinery of… Read more »
Viton™ O-rings are a synthetic rubber material regarded for its exceptional fluid resistance and high-temperature applications. Well-known for its durability and versatility, Viton™ is a type of fluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber (FKM) developed for high-performance application in the late 1950s. Today, essentially, Viton™ is the generic name for any type of FKM polymer. The… Read more »
In the manufacturing of rubber products, Quality Control (QC) is increasingly essential for producing high-quality parts. Rubber manufacturers utilize QC as a quality management system to ensure their products meet or exceed customer satisfaction first and cost-effectively improve production and efficiency continually. Where QC was once designed to focus almost entirely on customer expectations, which… Read more »
Environmental conditions play a significant role in the effectiveness of O-ring performance. The effects of weather on an O-ring and the ozone can easily impact the integrity of the seal, leading to failure. Though the doughnut-shaped rings are well-suited for the most demanding jobs, adverse conditions such extreme heat or cold, degrees of moisture—wet, rainy,… Read more »
The demand for industrial rubber products touches near every industrial sector. Rubber’s unique properties supply many performance-demanding applications, and it’s no wonder that the current market value of $106 billion in 2018, and an expected growth rate of 6% through 2027. It is widely used in the construction and infrastructure projects, and in terms of… Read more »
A car’s suspension quite literally and figuratively rides on its bushings. Deciding on installing rubber bushings vs. polyurethane ones is no less a decision than choosing the difference between a smoother, quieter ride compared to a better feel in how the car handles and steers. There is that much of a difference. Both rubber and… Read more »
As the market for the renewable energy industry grows, so does an increased need for rubber seal material to protect components and parts from failure during operation. Renewable energy, also referred to as clean energy, derives from natural sources or processes that can be constantly or readily replenished. The most common or widely known forms… Read more »
Consulting with a rubber supplier or rubber manufacturer when choosing or designing a rubber product for an application ensures that the application has the essential design features necessary for the application to function properly. Rubber is a unique material—it’s not only a natural material but is a common synthetic material derived from thermosetting or thermoplastic… Read more »
