How are Flat O-rings Manufactured?
Flat O-rings have a square or rectangular cross-section made by cutting them from extruded tubes or extruding them from a mould with a square shape. The O-rings are shaped by curing procedures that include trimming or knife cutting.
Chemicals are added to the raw material while it’s still molten to change the chemical composition of the finished product. The cutting and trimming operations are completed using machines with specifically shaped blades to produce precise product replicas. This process is also called die-cutting.
Application of Flat O-rings
Flat O-rings are highly adaptable components with many uses across multiple industries. They are commonly used as a leak barrier, cushion, and screw support. Other applications of flat O-rings include;
Fishing
In fishing, flat O-rings are used to stabilise the bait. Instead of using the bait as the hook, the O-ring is hooked around the bait. That keeps live bait alive and more likely to draw fish if a flat O-ring holds it.
The size of the flat O-ring used for this application depends on the bait size. Varying sizes can hold different types of baits, including bugs, live worms and even chunks of meat.
Another reason why flat O-rings are preferred in fishing is because they reduce the chance of the fish hooking the bait and slipping off the hook. O-rings for this application are made from flexible materials, including rubber or flexible plastic. Latex rubber and silicone are excellent materials for making fishing flat O-rings because they don’t pollute the fish’s body with toxins.
Transportation
Flat O-rings have multiple applications in the transportation industry. Their most essential application is in sealing the various fluid components in the systems of buses, trucks and automobiles. They are also a leak prevention measure for braking systems, engine lubrication and transmission fluids.
Aerospace
Flat O-rings shield jet engines from dangerous circumstances and large temperature swings. Commercial aircraft feature thousands of O-rings, some of which are flat O-rings created to complete specific tasks such as adjusting to extreme temperature variations. Because of the diverse environmental and mechanical conditions that O-rings must withstand, they must be developed using unique materials that can withstand the ever-changing and extreme conditions.
With the materials from which flat O-rings supplied by TFC are made, the O-rings can now withstand operating temperatures upwards of 1350C.
However, not all flat O-rings are made equal. You have to pick the right one for your applications to the specific requirements of the task.
Benefits of Flat O-Rings
In most applications of flat O-rings, the seal is sandwiched between the two machine body components, acting as a sealing mechanism.
Unlike O-rings, flat rings don’t require as much pressure or squeezing to function, making replacement of the rings easier and cutting down on maintenance downtime. Additionally, they require less friction, reducing the amount of wear and tear they are subjected to and reducing the need for lubrication.
The flat surface of the flat O-rings is another significant advantage because it provides a better seal around the machine components, especially in sealing applications. Flat O-rings can also be used in conjunction with round O-rings because they have corners to seal off spaces. Flat and round O-rings can be used interchangeably in many cases, except for certain situations.
Flat O-rings are extremely customisable in the material and design of the O-ring. Thermoplastic polymers and elastomeric rubbers like silicone, Teflon, and Viton can be used to create flat O-rings. Also, the flat O-rings have a four-lobed design that doubles their sealing surface. Their smooth surface texture, thermal conductivity, superior tensile strength, and wide temperature range make them preferable for a wide range of applications.
Partner with TFC
To ensure the most positive outcome when purchasing flat O-rings, you must choose the right supply partner, and none is better than TFC. A distinguished and reputable components supplier in the UK with exclusive distribution rights for some of the most revolutionary brands in engineering, like Smalleys, TFC is a valuable partner for vendors, assembly plants and OEM manufacturers.
We leverage up to six decades of experience from our parent company, AFC, to provide our clients with unique distribution solutions that allow them to meet the needs of their client’s projects while cutting back on warehouse overheads. We work with leading O-ring manufacturers to guarantee the best C-class and customised seal solutions on the market.
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