Cutting and Sourcing Custom Gaskets: A Complete Guide When you’ve got your gasket specs in hand, it may feel like the hardest part is behind you. But many buyers discover this is when the real challenge begins: getting the gasket made correctly and delivered on time. Unlike o-rings, gaskets rarely come off the shelf. In […]
Choosing the right O-ring material is critical to the performance and reliability of your equipment. While silicone is a type of rubber, or synthetic elastomer to be precise, silicone has distinct properties making it suitable for certain applications. Meanwhile, other rubbers may be a better option for different situations. Selecting the wrong one can lead […]
It can be a common point of confusion in engineering and design: O-rings, gaskets, and seals. While all of these components are designed to prevent leaks, their fundamental design, function, and ideal applications are very different. Making the right choice between them is crucial for your equipment’s performance, long-term reliability, and avoiding costly downtime. This […]
Hydraulic seals are the unsung heroes of countless industrial systems. While often overlooked, they play a critical role in converting fluid power into linear motion, ensuring the efficiency and reliability of your equipment. A seal failure can bring an entire operation to a halt, which is why choosing the right solution is essential for performance […]
Using Custom Rubber Diaphragms Is a low-cost component costing you more than it’s worth? In many pressure-sensitive assemblies, the rubber diaphragm is overlooked until performance drops. Systems begin experiencing inconsistent pressure, premature wear, and unexpected chemical degradation. These are signs that a standard diaphragm isn’t cutting it anymore. Custom rubber diaphragms solve problems that off-the-shelf […]
Your O-Ring Groove Design Checklist Some seal failures are easy to explain: the wrong material, poor chemical compatibility, or damage during installation. But then there are the frustrating failures. Those are the ones where the o-ring is the right size, the material matches the application, and yet … it leaks. Or it wears out too […]
FFKM O-Rings At Work in Critical Applications Downtime is rapidly getting more expensive. In the automotive sector alone, the cost of an unplanned shutdown has reached $2.3 million per hour. Across industries, that number continues to rise. In heavy industry, the cost of downtime is now four times what it was just five years ago. […]
The Shore durometer scale measures material hardness. In other words, it measures how resistant a material is to indentation. It’s one of the most important specs to understand when choosing rubber components like o-rings or gaskets. The scale helps engineers compare soft and hard materials across a variety of applications. Shore hardness is measured by […]
O-rings are one of the smallest parts in an air conditioning system, but they are also one of the most important. A failed o-ring can lead to refrigerant leaks, compressor damage, and costly repairs. There are some key factors that will ensure that AC o-rings work well in applications like HVAC or refrigeration. These include […]
In many systems, o-ring failure is a lubrication issue. O-ring lubrication is central to seal performance, especially during installation and in dynamic systems. A compatible lubricant can prevent damage, reduce friction, and improve long-term sealing integrity. However, not all lubricants work with every elastomer. Choosing the wrong one can shorten seal life or lead to […]
Accurate o-ring sizing is essential for seal performance, longevity, and system reliability. Undersized or oversized o-rings can leak, wear out early, or fail under pressure. Knowing how to measure an o-ring accurately helps ensure better sealing, longer life, and fewer headaches. To properly size an o-ring, you need three critical measurements: inside diameter (ID), cross […]
How Tight Tolerances Solve Tough Sealing Problems “Close enough” doesn’t cut it in sealing applications where performance and reliability are critical. When seals fail, often the issue is not the material or the environment but the fit. That comes down to tolerances. O-ring tolerances control how much a part can vary in size while still […]
