What Are O Rings & Why Are They Important?
Sometimes, one of the most vital parts of a machine can be one of the most seemingly innocuous. The o-ring, seemingly ordinary and unimportant, can spell the difference between proper operation and disaster.
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O-Rings
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An o-ring is a ring made usually of neoprene or rubber. They are used as gaskets in a variety of machines. O-rings get their name from their round shape and circular cross section.
Use
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O-rings are used as gaskets, or seals, between closely mated surfaces in moving and stationary devices. They block any leak path for fluid between the two surfaces.
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Installation
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O-rings are installed between the two moving or stationary surfaces. Generally, one of the surfaces has a machined groove in it designed to fit the o-ring. As the two surfaces are brought together, they squeeze the cross section of the o-ring and form what's referred to as a gland.
Applications
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O-rings can be found in use just about anywhere, from robotics and the automotive industry to the NASA Space Program's space vehicles.
O-ring Failure
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The failure of an o-ring can have catastrophic effects on the system it was installed to seal. Liquid, air and gas can all get through a failed o-ring, which may be cracked, broken or worn out. In 1986, a failed o-ring resulted in an explosion that destroyed the Challenger Space Shuttle, killing all aboard.
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