Time to read: 6 min

Let’s say you designed a mechanical assembly that requires some sort of mechanical sealing. Or you have a maintenance project that requires additional sealing to a new joint. Perhaps your assembly has a fluid reservoir, requires cooling fluid to pass through, or you’re joining two components together and need them to sit flush. To solve those problems, your first step is choosing the right type of mechanical seal. 

O-rings are reliable and affordable, which is why they’re a popular solution. But you need a good groove design for the O-ring to do its job properly. This guide will walk you through our best tips for designing O-ring grooves.

What is an O-Ring (Refresher)

An O-ring is a circular piece of elastomer material that’s used to form a mechanical seal resistant to pressure that seals off mating components. Some O-rings can withstand high pressures in the range of a few thousand PSI. The groove that the O-ring fits into is also known as the gland.

O-Rings vs Gaskets

While O-rings and gaskets may seem similar, they are actually different methods of mechanical sealing. An O-ring is a type of gasket, but not all gaskets are O-rings. Gaskets can be made of many materials, including metal, while O-rings are only made of elastic materials. O-rings are also specifically circular in shape, whereas gaskets take the form of many cross-sectional shapes. That’s why gaskets are used in applications where sealing is needed for complex mating surfaces. O-rings are more standard and are used for simpler mating conditions.

O-Ring Groove/Gland Shape

The most important consideration for gland design is that it allows for proper and complete compression between the groove and the surface mating to it. Otherwise, the shape of the groove itself is not important. The shape of the O-ring groove depends on the application for the O-ring and can range from triangular to rectangular to dovetail. 

Generally, it’s good to focus on a groove shape design that’s easy to machine without sharp edges that can cause O-rings to deteriorate. Specifically, every sharp corner needs an O-ring groove radius and all interfacing corners should be chamfered or rounded to limit damage to the O-ring while installing it. 

One of the most common O-ring groove shapes is a rectangular divet with rounded edges. This design allows for simple installation and uniform compression on all three sides of the O-ring that interface with the gland. See the example shape below:

O-Ring Groove Width

The first O-ring groove dimension we will cover is the O-ring groove width. The horizontal span of the groove should be sufficient to allow for full expansion of the O-ring within the groove. The horizontal span should only allow for a 5% expansion of the O-ring diameter. The OD (outside diameter) of the gland should be larger than the ID (inside diameter) of the O-ring so that the O-ring is always stretched when installed. 

For cases where an O-ring is not installed in a gland, the O-ring interface should be designed so that it doesn’t require more than a 100% stretch when an O-ring is installed. The ideal number for the O-ring stretch, when installed in a gland, is not greater than 5%. Minimizing the installation stretch is done by correctly specifying the gland ID to accommodate the O-ring diameter. You can use the following equation (O-ring groove width calculation starting point) to set the requirement: 

O-ring ID Stretch
 = 

GlandID – ORingID
ORingID

 *  100

Minimizing installation stretch can prevent an excessive buildup of stress in the material, reduce the cross-sectional area and reduce the % squeeze of the O-ring. Another important rule to follow is to keep the percentage reduction in the cross-sectional diameter to around 50% of the percentage diameter stretch. 

O-Ring Gland Width for Liquids versus Gases

In general, an O-ring gland for a liquid fluid should be larger than one used for gas — the liquid interfacing O-ring should be about 10-20% larger.

O-Ring Groove/Gland Volume

The best rule of thumb to follow for groove dimensions stems from specifying the correct amount of volumetric space for the O-ring material to fill the groove. This is necessary to ensure room for the O-ring’s thermal expansion (elastomers expand around 10 times more than metals), swelling due to soaking up fluids, and increasing width due to O-ring squeeze. The optimal ratio for O-ring gland volume is 15-25% empty space and 75-85% spaced filled by the O-ring material. The equations below calculate the gland fill percentage:

O – Ring Volume
 =  π * [

width
2

 ]²

Gland Fill %
 = 

O-ring Volume
Gland Volume

  * 100

Pro-tip: when designing any component, especially an O-ring groove, utilize technical data sheets, industry specifications and other resources for guidance on your specific groove interface and type. This article doesn’t cover all the scenarios, but there are many publications that do.

O-Ring Groove/Gland Depth

The depth of the O-ring groove depends upon the width of the O-ring and the amount of compression that is best for your application. A specific compression ratio should be maintained in order to provide sufficient sealing without compromising the integrity of the elastomer material. The compression ratio may be calculated with the following equation:

O – ring compression ratio
 = 

O – ringwidth – groove depth
O-ringwidth

  * 100

Utilize the following compression ratios as starting points: 

1. For rotary O-rings: a compression ratio of 0-10%
2. For reciprocating O-rings: a compression ratio of 10-20%
3. For a static male to female mating interface: a compression ratio of 18-25%
4. For a face seal: a compression ratio of 20-30%

Static vs Dynamic O-Ring Groove Design Considerations

Static O-ring applications — where the two components being sealed together don’t move — are the most common use for elastomer O-rings. Dynamic O-ring applications are utilized to seal two moving parts (with respect to each other). Both applications have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, wwelling is more likely to occur with a static O-ring, while material deterioration is more likely in a dynamic O-ring application. A static O-ring is an axial, radial, crush, or dovetail seal, where there’s pressure on the top and bottom of the O-ring. A dynamic O-ring forms a reciprocating, rotary, or oscillating seal that has alternating pressure on the O-ring in a back-and-forth manner. 

Radial squeeze applications are often recommended over axial squeeze applications for static seals because they depend on the groove dimensions to maintain sufficient sealing and they are easier to use when parts are being modified. For static sealing applications, a groove surface finish of 63 rms is recommended for the sides and 32 rms for the bottom of the gland. For dynamic O-ring applications, it is recommended that any component which interfaces with the O-ring have a surface finish of 16 rms or smoother.

Start Your Next  Project With Fictiv

O-ring groove design is critical when you’re mechanically sealing parts, and the experts at Fictiv are here to help — after all, Fictiv is your operating system for custom mechanical parts. 

With our design and manufacturing expertise, innovative platform that provides instant DFM feedback, full production visibility, and quick turnaround times, manufacturing O-ring grooves for your parts is easier than ever! Our manufacturing network of highly skilled and vetted manufacturing partners can perform the precision machining you need for your next project. Upload a part and get an instant quote today.

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Lille have announced the signing of experienced French attacking player Morgan Amalfitano on a free transfer on a 2.5 year contract.

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Amalfitano successfully underwent a medical yesterday with the Ligue 1 side and is set to be followed by Rony Lopes on loan from Monaco in the next 24 hours.

Amalfitano reportedly also had an offer from Aston Villa on the table.

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Expertly balanced in a 50/50 PG/VG blend, Pod Salt Core nic salt e-liquids are ideally used with Vape Starter Kits and Pod Vape Kits.

Are you new and trying out vaping for the first time? You should check out our beginners’ guide, where we simplify vaping to its fundamentals and explain the benefits of switching to your first vape kit.

The New Year brings a host of new changes for Lyon, with this match against Troyes the first at their new stadium as well as the first under the leadership of new coach Bruno Genesio. What Lyon really need right now, though, is a change in form, as they head into this match having lost five of their last six league games, a run of results that has left them languishing in ninth place.

Troyes will also be hoping 2016 brings with it new luck, as they continue their quest for their first league win. It will come of no surprise then that the visitors are rooted to the bottom of the table, 13 points from safety, although they have managed to avoid defeat in their last three league outings.

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Earlier this season, Lyon beat Troyes 1-0 at the Stade de l’Aube, thanks to a Claudio Beauvue penalty.

R.B.

Ligue 2 side AS Nancy have confirmed the departure of young central midfielder Remi Walter to top flight side OGC Nice.

The fee is understood to be worth €1m and represents fantastic business from Les Aiglons.

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Ligue 2 side Auxerre have confirmed the arrival of Lille striker Sehrou Guirassy on loan until the end of the season.

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Guirassy has struggled to received adequate playing time at Lille and there will be no buy option included in the deal.

Four types of UV-(meth)acrylate curable alkyds were synthesised and formulated with two tri(meth)acrylate reactive diluents. Thermal, mechanical, and coating properties, including gloss, adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, and chemical resistance, were evaluated.

In general, methacrylate-based UV-curable alkyd has higher modulus and toughness, whereas acrylate-based UV-curable alkyd has better flexibility and adhesion. In all four UV-curable alkyd resin systems, increasing reactive diluent content will enhance properties like tensile strength and modulus, hardness, and chemical resistance. However, there is a decrease in properties such as elongation at break, adhesion, and impact resistance. Among four UV-curable alkyd resin, acrylated medium linseed oil alkyd exhibited the best overall performance than other systems in terms of hardness, flexibility, and adhesion. Particularly, acrylated medium linseed oil alkyd formulations with 20–30 wt% of glycerol triacrylate as reactive diluent showed the best coating performance.

It is possible to produce coating films with a good balance of crosslink density, flexibility, and adhesion using such UV-curable alkyd systems. Further, it has a huge potential in alkyds as an alternative for cobalt-based drier system.

The study has been published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 20, issue 2, March 2023

Sika has closed the transaction related to the divestment of the European industrial coatings business.

The deal was announced on August 19, 2021. The associated sales proceeds amount to EUR 200 million. The transaction will have a positive one-time impact on the profitability of Sika in the first half-year 2022.

Half-year report in July

The final effect on the financial statements will be presented in the half-year report to be published on July 22, 2022.

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 101 countries around the world and manufactures in over 300 factories.

Thordon Bearings is offering its award-winning COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system with a lifetime bearing wear life guarantee.

To date, the COMPAC bearing has been offered with a 15-year wear life guarantee, but Thordon recently announced at the SMM 2018 trade show in Hamburg, Germany, that the company is now guaranteeing its polymer bearings will not need to be replaced throughout a vessel’s operational life.

The extended wear life of a component critical to vessel performance is based on an extensive study of the performance data of the 550-plus COMPAC shaft bearings in operation on commercial vessels, dating back more than 25 years.

Thordon Bearings’ President and CEO, Terry McGowan, said: “After evaluating the performance and operational data of the ocean-going merchant vessels that operate COMPAC seawater lubricated bearings we found that if the environment was controlled – ensuring an adequate supply of clean water consistently delivered to the shaft bearings – the COMPAC bearing wear was minimal. Environmental protection is of course high on the list of priorities for ship owners, but system reliability, reduced operational expenditure and maintenance are other key factors influencing the purchasing decision.”

“We believe our system meets these commercial ship owner priorities, and this is why we are pleased to now offer our COMPAC bearings with a lifetime guarantee. With the announcement today, we are taking the seawater lubricated propeller shaft to the next level.”

The COMPAC bearing is guaranteed to meet Classification Society propeller shaft bearing wear specifications for the lifetime of the vessel or Thordon Bearings will supply new bearings free of charge. According to VesselsValue.com, the average merchant ship lifespan is 25 years.

The guarantee is subject to prior approval by Thordon Bearings and limited to the supply of replacement bearing(s). All operators of commercial tonnage operating with >300mm diameter shafts can benefit from the guarantee, although the complete COMPAC system must be specified.

This is because when the bearing operates in conjunction with Thordon’s Water Quality Package (that removes abrasives), ThorShield anti corrosion shaft coating, shaft liners and the award-winning SeaThigor forward seal, bearing wear is negligible, providing optimum through life performance from what is already an exceptionally robust bearing.

Commenting on his experience of the COMPAC system installed aboard a number of Princess brand cruiseships, Richard Vie, Carnival Corporation’s former Vice-President, Technical Development and Quality Assurance – Shipbuilding, said: “From a business, environmental and safety standpoint, seawater lubricated shaft line bearings offer the optimum solution.

“Thordon’s products are proven and reliable with an exceptional lifetime, and of course the lubricant – seawater – is limitless and without cost. This substantially reduces the risk of failures compared to other propulsion solutions and therefore increases ship availability and protects its earning potential over its lifetime. Operating costs are minimal. The risk of pollution of the seas through the release of oil or any other lubricants and subsequent fines and adverse publicity is eliminated completely. Ship performance and safety is not likely to be compromised by propulsion system failures thus further strengthening the case for adopting a seawater lubricated shafting solution.”

Capt. Simon Merritt, Senior Fleet Manager at Carisbrooke Shipping, a long-time proponent of the seawater lubricated propeller shaft arrangement, agreed: “We are very satisfied with the Thordon system. We first selected seawater lubrication for environmental reasons, but having operated COMPAC on a number of vessels, we have experienced a reduction in ship operational costs compared to oil lubricated propeller shaft configurations. A lifetime guarantee on the bearing is likely to add to those savings.”

Carisbrooke Shipping’s first COMPAC installation was in 2011 to the 8,651dwt multipurpose dry cargo ship Vectis Eagle. Carisbrooke now operates the COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft arrangement on a total of eight vessels.

“Based on our experience with these bearings in continuous service for the last 6 years we will ensure that future building specs incorporate the Thordon system,” added Capt. Merritt.

Craig Carter, Thordon Bearings’ Director of Marketing and Customer Service, said: “For the global shipping industry to fully support any movement to safeguard the ocean environment, any technological development has to make commercial sense. Shipowners and managers are becoming much more interested in a proven technology that eliminates both operational and accidental stern tube oil pollution while meeting increasingly stringent international environmental regulations. A ‘COMPAC For Life’ takes advantage of this and helps secure our leading position in the seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing market.”

Current ship owners using COMPAC seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings include: Lomar Shipping (UK), Grimaldi Group (Italy), Alaska Tanker Company (USA), Princess Cruises (USA), Atlanska Plovibda (Croatia), Groupe Desgagnés (Canada), Carisbrooke Shipping (UK), Crowley Maritime Corp. (USA), CSL Group (Canada), COSCO (China), NY Staten Island Ferries (USA), Tropical Shipping (USA), BC Ferries (Canada), Viking Cruise Lines (UK), Polsteam (Poland), Erik Thun Group (Sweden), Algoma Corp. (Canada), Blue Star Ferries (Greece), and more that 40 Navies worldwide.

Thordon Bearings
thordonbearings.com