A great sealing solution…the O-ring, helping to keep out environmental contaminants, keep essential fluids in, and reduce friction between two mating surfaces, o rings play a vital role across numerous industries, supporting various applications.
However, for the aerospace and aeronautics industry, O-rings must be able to handle so much more.
From high levels of performance to material complexity, each o ring must be able to stand on its own and perform to an extremely high level.
In this post, we look at o rings in more detail, specifically their importance in the aerospace and aeronautics industry.
The o ring
As we know o rings help to fill in the part/gap between the machinery and the part, and they must always perform at optimal levels set within tolerances that are applicable to the application.
For the aerospace and aeronautics sector, o rings need to be of a high quality, have a controlled standard, and not be damaged in any way.
O rings are suitable for:
- Planes
- Helicopters
- Spacecrafts
- Flight controls
- Landing gears
- Wheels
- Brakes
- Engines
- Interiors,
- And more.
O ring material that is suitable for these applications include:
- EPDM
- Silicone
- Nitrile
- Viton
- PTFE
The material you choose will be dependent on where the seal is to be placed, and it’s critical that you choose the right o ring for your application. This means you should test seals for fluid compatibility, temperature range suitability, air aging (vital in aerospace), static/dynamic applications, sustainability, tensile strength, and compression set.
In addition, O-rings in aerospace are quality-marked and stamped to ensure the integrity of the seal and to provide you with peace of mind that the seal you are using will perform to a high standard.
Due to the o rings being stamped, you will also be able to locate batches and any faulty o rings associated with these. This is an essential part of record keeping and monitoring for the aerospace sector, meeting stringent industry regulations and law.
Importance of O-rings in the aerospace industry
O-rings are a critical component in the aerospace and aeronautics industry, offering mechanical stability that cannot be underestimated.
It is this mechanical stability that has proven to be vital over the years. Vital as these components must be able to perform under pressure, quite literally, resisting deformation or breakages leading to leaks and contamination.
For example, when we look back at o ring uses over the years, the most significant report comes from the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
This catastrophic event led to seven people losing their lives onboard the space shuttle, all due to the failure of an o ring – a small, doughnut-shaped material component that was responsible for the awful disaster that unfolded.
Due to the makeup of the o ring at the time, the excessively low temperatures affected the o rings sealing ability, which led to a leak resulting in exposure to the fuel tank.
Fortunately, changes in the o ring design and manufacture have been made over the years with advances in both technology and material compounds. This has led to rubber o rings that can now sustain varying temperatures (and pressures) without losing their elasticity.
To find out about the additional sealing ability a quad ring can offer, check out our latest post here.
O-rings in aerospace must be able to withstand:
- High and low-pressure fluctuations
- Extreme temperature ranges
- Aggressive fluids and lubricants
- Fuel, oil, hydraulics, and de-icers
- Industrial performance requirements
- Extreme stress
- Challenging installation methods.
Importance of O-rings in planes
O-rings are essential in various applications in aerospace, including:
Hydraulics – used to prevent fluid leaks and to help maintain the right fluid pressure.
Airflow – from filters to tubes and hoses, o rings help to manage the airflow process, creating seals that keep air pressure intact.
Fuel – helping to keep fuel pressure steady and intact while the plane is in the air, for example.
Advantages of O-rings
- Provide longevity, helping you to save on repairs and maintenance
- Can withstand harsh conditions
- Can survive in varying temperature and pressure ranges
- They provide a tight, robust, and secure seal to prevent leaks and potential contamination
- Equipped with the proper safety measures
- Make a more efficient application
O ring suppliers Leeds
At SSP, all of our O-rings in the aeronautics industry meet the high standards of quality required in the industry.
We’re also proud to be one of the most relied upon o ring suppliers UK, providing various sealing solutions suitable for a wide range of applications across all industries. You can also find a great deal of information and advice on our website.
Contact us today to find out more.
