O-rings function as a means of sealing, essentially closing off a passageway to prevent the escape or loss of a fluid, either a liquid or a gas. An O-ring has a toric shape, and is typically manufactured from an elastomeric material. The seal is established by placing the O-ring into a cavity, known as a gland. The gland acts to compress the O-ring, and produces a zero-clearance condition, which effectively blocks the flow of the fluid. The sealing effect is produced through axial or radial compression of the O-ring.
In general, O-ring seals are considered to be particularly reliable due to the simplicity of the O-ring/gland design and overall material resilience. However, under a number of circumstances failure can occur. O-ring failure can range from minor leakage to catastrophic equipment breakdown. Regardless of the magnitude, an O-ring failure can be diagnosed through proper visual and analytical techniques.
This course will review:
O-ring Function
Failure Modes
Sealing System Design Factors
O-ring Materials – Selection and Specification
At the end you will:
Better understand how O-rings function.
Appreciate the potential failure modes for O-rings.
Gain insight into what material properties are important when selecting or specifying O-rings.
Jeffrey A. Jansen is the Engineering Manager and a Partner at The Madison Group, an independent plastics engineering and consulting firm. Jeff is a proven plastic professional with more than 30 years of experience solving problems and addressing opportunities related to polymeric materials. He specializes in failure analysis, material identification and selection, as well as compatibility, aging, and lifetime prediction studies for thermoplastic materials. Jeff has performed over 5,000 investigations, both for industrial clients and as a part of litigation. He is a regular presenter on the SPE webinar series, covering a wide range of topics related to plastics failure, material performance, testing, and polymer technology. Jeff is a graduate of Carroll College and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Maintenance Professionals: Ensure system reliability by understanding how O-ring performance impacts maintenance schedules and preventing leakage-related breakdowns.
Designers of Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems: Enhance your designs by selecting the right O-ring materials and configurations to achieve optimal sealing performance.
Machinery Designers: Gain insights into integrating O-rings into your machinery for improved durability and reduced system failures.
Rubber Professionals: Contribute to O-ring innovation by deepening your knowledge of material properties and failure modes.
Consultants Specializing in Failure Analysis: Strengthen your expertise in diagnosing O-ring failures to deliver effective solutions and improve system performance.
This workshop is ideal for professionals looking to optimize sealing systems, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall equipment performance.
Why Should You Attend?
Are you working with rubber O-rings and need to ensure they provide optimal sealing performance?
Whether you're in design, maintenance, or quality assurance, understanding the function and potential failure modes of O-rings is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your sealing systems.
Is your equipment or tooling suffering maintenance breakdowns due to constant leakage?
Identifying and addressing O-ring failures is key to preventing costly downtime and ensuring your systems operate reliably.
Are you looking to learn about the factors that influence O-ring failure and how to prevent costly breakdowns?
Understanding the conditions that lead to O-ring failures, from minor leaks to catastrophic failures, is essential for improving system reliability and reducing maintenance costs.
Are you involved in selecting or specifying O-ring materials and want to know which properties are crucial for optimal performance?
Choosing the right material for your O-rings is vital to ensuring proper sealing under various operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and chemical exposure.
If these concerns sound familiar, the Rubber O-rings SPE course is designed for you!
This course will provide in-depth insights into the function of O-rings, the factors contributing to their failure, and the key material properties to consider when selecting or specifying O-rings. Gain practical knowledge to optimize your sealing systems and prevent costly failures.
This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.
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Full refund 30 days prior to the event start date. Please contact customerrelations@4spe.org for assistance with registration.
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