DETROIT – Since it was first patented in 1937, the o-ring has become a staple of modern engineering. These small, round seals are used in everything from small water pumps to high-performance engines to rockets and much more.
While the basic shape of the o-ring has remained virtually unchanged for decades, modern iterations are much more advanced than their 1930s counterparts. The material used to create o-rings has progressed exponentially, and sealing technology has also been improved upon in recent years.
Below, we examine the general o-ring market outlook and discuss why new o-ring technology was necessary.
The O-Ring Market Outlook
According to Construction News Portal, the o-ring market is expected to experience “explosive growth” by the end of the decade. This growth can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including an increase in demand for equipment that uses o-ring seals. A few examples include a surge in demand for healthcare equipment, construction machinery and commercial vehicles.
Traditionally, market growth is associated with even more innovation. This positive outlook may lead to the development of new materials, a decrease in production costs or the creation of innovative processes for crafting o-rings.
Why Was Better O-Ring Technology Necessary?
Over the years, many events and industrial accidents made the need for more advanced o-ring technology extremely apparent. Unfortunately, aging o-ring sealing technologies simply could not keep up with the demands placed on them by modern equipment.
In search of a better alternative to rubber, private organizations across the globe began to explore new o-ring materials and sealing techniques. This search led to the development of o-rings in several different materials, such as fluorocarbon, silicone and nitrile, just to name a few. These materials allowed manufacturers to employ more creative molding techniques, which yielded higher-quality o-rings. Thanks to these advancements, today’s seals are able to:
Create a Stronger Seal
The most notable advantage of today’s o-rings is that they create a tighter and more reliable seal. This is particularly useful when installed in devices such as construction equipment and high-performance machines. In addition to creating a stronger seal, these o-rings can also withstand extreme temperatures more effectively. For instance, fluorocarbon compounds can withstand temperatures ranging from -13°F to +446°F, and offer greater resistance to steam in higher temperature applications, making them a universal material for o-rings.
Withstand Pressure More Efficiently
Modern materials and the use of a unique sealing technology also allow o-rings to better withstand pressure. These seals are extremely resilient to compression, even in environments that would make other types of o-rings brittle and unreliable. This property makes o-rings popular for use in medical equipment, as medical devices must function flawlessly during critical incidents.
Endure Harsh Chemicals
Lastly, o-rings exhibit excellent chemical resistance. These seals can protect against acids, oils, oxygen, glucose and silicon fluids. Once again, the ability to endure harsh chemicals is extremely important for seals used in the medical industry.
O-Rings: Small Part, Huge Impact
From manufacturing and medical to aerospace and more, o-rings are a valuable commodity to many different industries. After all, many of our machines, devices and appliances would not function properly without them.
Bio: Content marketing and inbound marketing expert, Steve Conway is passionate about discovering new tech which will enhance his already well-honed digital marketing skills.
