A mechanical seal that performs a vital function, we use the component o ring to sit between two mating surfaces so that when compressed, the o ring provides a tight seal, preventing leaks from occurring.
But how did o rings gain their popularity, who thought of this great innovation, and how has this component changed over the years?
In this post, we look at the evolution of o rings, from where it all started to the applications that couldn’t work without the use of o rings today.
History of O-rings
Used for over 100 years, an o ring is a reasonably inexpensive manufacturing component that is easy to manufacture, incredibly reliable, and relatively straightforward to install.
Designed to have a point of contact between the o ring and sealing faces, o ring materials are flexible in nature and makeup, making them suitable for numerous applications across various industry sectors.
Circular in their appearance, o rings have a loop of elastomer with a circular cross-section, which is vital in creating the seal where two parts meet.
But what is an O-rings origin, and how did these small rubber seals become so popular?
Invention of O-rings
It is reported that the very first o ring (rubber) was patented and filed in Sweden in 1896 by J O Lundberg. However, there is very limited information available on the patent, the o ring, and details on the invention being recognised as a sealing product.
This led to the o ring officially being recognised in 1936 as invented by Niels Christensen, who first patented the o ring in 1937 (issued in 1939).
By 1940, the o-ring fast became the seal of choice, helping to initially seal the gap in hydraulic landing gases and then go on to support much more in military equipment over time.
However, during World War 2, it was found that many businesses were violating Christensen’s patent rights. This led to the US seizing all patents related to the military effort (including the O Ring) and making them available to all manufacturers.
Christensen’s patent was purchased for a sum of $72,000.
It wasn’t until years later, after the death of Christensen, that his estate then took up a lawsuit against the US government for royalty payments they deemed were owed between the years of 1952 and 1956.
After numerous findings and indeed infringements, the courts ruled in Christensen’s estate’s favour, and they were awarded a settlement for the o ring invention.
O rings over the years
The general design of o rings has stayed the same over the years, with only minor modifications made in the materials and compounds it is manufactured with.
In fact, these subtle changes began in 1986, after it was identified that it was Dupont’s Viton o ring that was responsible for the space shuttle Challenger disaster on the 28th of January 1986, as it was proven that cold weather negatively affected the flexibility of the o ring, so the seal was compromised.
Luckily, today, we have a range of high-quality materials, including rubber, which have been tried and tested to perform to high standards and across varying applications.
In addition, now, o rings can be tracked and recalled where necessary as o rings are stamped and marked with batch number, serial date, and manufacturer information.
And due to their essential role, o rings are subject to stringent quality control checks and stress testing to ensure they can meet application requirements and specifications.
Origin of O-rings
O-rings can be situated within static or rotating applications, so manufacturers and application users must be aware of the various types of o-rings to better understand which one will be most suitable in the varying situations to which it is exposed.
Available in a range of standard sizes and materials, material choice should be based on chemical compatibility, the temperature the application is exposed to, sealing pressure faced, if there are any lubricant requirements, quality, and quantity.
O ring suppliers UK now have the flexibility to provide customers with a range of o ring material types, such as:
- Nitrile
- Silicone
- Fluorocarbon
- PTFE
- Fluorosilicate
- EPM
- Neoprene
- Polyurethane
Some of the most common applications of o rings can be found in:
- Oil and gas industry
- Refrigeration
- Air conditioning units
- Hydraulics
- Industrial machinery and pneumatic tools
- Farming equipment
- Automotive industry
- Aerospace
- And more.
O ring suppliers Leeds
O rings are a vital component in many applications, but they are also most likely a component whose significance is not appreciated enough.
An o ring history is a remarkable one of invention and innovation during a time when these components were needed the most – and we continue to need these products today.
Providing you with versatility and high-quality components, we work with clients across all industries, providing the most appropriate o ring solution to your application.
Contact us today at 01535 274 776 to find out more.
