O rings are widely used across various industries to support a variety of different pieces of equipment and applications.
They provide an essential function and are ultimately moulded and manufactured to ensure they provide a continually high level of quality through the use of a range of elastomers, polymers, and plastics (depending on the application of the o ring material).
At SSP, we find that o rings over the years have predominantly been used in aerospace and chemical applications. However, as advances in technology and applications continue at pace, we now see a range of requirements for o rings that are suitable for the pharmaceutical industry too.
Rubber o rings for the pharmaceutical industry
Specially moulded and vulcanised to suit a set of strict requirements, o rings are now available in commercial and high chemically resistant materials. Providing users with a temperature range from -60 degrees Celsius to +327 degrees Celsius – making them highly suitable to meet a range of needs.
The pharmaceutical sector, like others, requires sealing components such as gaskets and o rings for a wide range of laboratory equipment and analytical tools.
These pieces of equipment are often subject to harsh chemical environments that are used for various testing procedures; hence they require extremely high and pure sealing capabilities.
There is an incredible need to prevent contamination at all costs due to the inaccurate readings this could produce.
Due to the nature of this industry, inaccurate results can negatively affect the outcome of a patient’s diagnosis, and even the right mix of chemicals to produce a new drug, for example.
Pharmaceutical o rings
Testing, researching, analysing, and even producing an extensive range of chemical, biological, and radiological products and substances mean this is also a sector that relies heavily on the utilisation of the right sealing product.
Within the pharmaceutical industry, o rings, and specialist seals will be used in ventilators, CPAP machines, and even pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Often o rings and other sealing products used within this industry will be cleaned by a prescribed process and using the correct materials. These products must also be dust-free, again to avoid contamination.
It is also important that the rubber seals and gaskets used by the pharmaceutical industry are chemically resistant and can withstand fluctuating temperature ranges as required.
Certain standards must be met, and compliance with prescribed regulations and guidance outlining what is suitable for specific sectors must be adhered to.
O ring materials suitable for the pharmaceutical industry
- EPDM – can handle even the harshest of conditions; this synthetic rubber seal provides a high level of performance time and time again.
- Silicone or VMQ – extremely durable, this material is resistant to tears and can withstand wide fluctuations in the external environment.
- Fluorosilicone – offers a great seal from fluids and liquids and is mineral and oil resistant; however, the temperature ranges are a little more restricted compared to silicone o rings.
- Viton – offers a high tolerance to chemicals and fuels; this material also performs well under high temperatures (however, it is not suitable for steam applications).
- Nitrile – a very popular choice and suitable for applications using large volumes of liquids, oils, and fuels.
- FFKM – tough and robust, FFKM is also a thermoset elastomer and is available in different material grades to suit a range of applications and equipment.
O ring suppliers the UK
With advances in the pharmaceutical industry continuing at pace, the demand for high-quality, medically graded o rings has never been so important.
Required to fit various pieces of equipment and suitable for numerous applications, o rings, seals, and gaskets for the pharmaceutical industry must be able to withstand a range of chemical and temperature fluctuations, environments, and more.
At SSP, we specialise in o rings and seals, helping to meet the strict requirements of the medical sector.
We understand that choosing the right seal for medical equipment and pharmaceutical applications is essential. Essential for development and advances in this sector to continue and grow.
That’s why we work with you and your teams to find out more about the application or piece of equipment to find the most suitable sealing product for you.
If you have valuable medical applications and equipment requiring o rings and sealing aspects, look no further than Specialist Sealing Products (SSP) for the best and most suitable seals and gaskets around.
For further information and to talk through your requirements with a professional o ring suppliers in full, call an experienced member of the SSP team today on 01535 274 776 or email sales@specialistsealingproducts.co.uk, we’ll be happy to help.
Read the next article: Everything You Need to Know About Large O-Rings
