Glossary
Sealing Industry Glossary
Welcome to our interactive online Glossary.
Because our industry’s jargon and processes are unique, we’ve dedicated this glossary to be a centralised spot that will serve as a reference to both industry veterans and newcomers alike.
Our intuitive Glossary guide helps you determine the chemical properties, temperature ranges and key uses of chemicals in O-Ring and seal production.
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- Abrasion
The wearing of a surface by mechanical action such as rubbing or scraping.
- Abrasion Resistance
The ability of a rubber compound to resist mechanical wear.
- Absorption
The physical mechanism by which one substance attracts and takes up another substance (liquid, gas, or vapour) into its interior.
- Accelerated life test
A test method designed to approximate, in a short time, the deteriorating effect of normal long-term service conditions.
- Accelerators
Chemical added to an elastomer to speed up the rate of vulcanisation, causing it to take place in a shorter time
- Acid Resistant
Withstanding the action of acids.
- Activators
Chemicals added to an elastomer to increase the speed of an accelerator
- Adhere
To stick or cling together.
- After cure
Continuation of the vulcanization process after the main cure has completed.
- Age resistance
the ability of a material to resist deterioration caused by ageing.
- Ageing
Change of material properties during exposure to a deteriorating environment. Can also refer to controlled exposure of rubber samples to a variety of deteriorating influences
- Air Checks/Traps
Surface marks or depressions caused by the trapping of air between the rubber surfaces being cured and the mould surface.
- Aliphatic
A major group of organic compounds with straight chains of carbon atoms. Three sub-groups that comprise aliphatic hydrocarbons are paraffins (alkanes) olefins(alkenes) and acetylene(alkynes)
- Ambient temperature
Temperature of the environment surrounding a given point of application.
- AMS
Aerospace Material Specification
- Aniline point
The lowest temperature at which equal parts of aniline and a test liquid (oil) will completely blend. Generally the lower the aniline point, the greater the chance of swelling of the rubber.
- Antioxidant
A substance which inhibits or retards oxidation.
- Antiozonant
A substance which inhibits or retards ozone deterioration.
- Aromatic oil
A process oil containing at least 35% (by mass), of aromatic hydrocarbons
- AS568
Aerospace Standard for O Ring numbering. All military standards use this system.
- ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials
- Atmospheric Cracking
Cracks in surface of rubber articles caused by exposure to atmospheric conditions.
- Axial seal
a term usually applied to an O-Ring where the squeeze is applied on the top and bottom surfaces of the seals cross section. Also used as a term for a face seal.
- Back-Up Ring
(Anti extrusion device) a ring of relatively hard and tough material, placed in the gland between the O-Ring and groove side walls, to prevent extrusion of the O-Ring.
- Backrind
A moulding defect showing as distortion at the parting line, usually in the form of a ragged indentation.
- Batch
Product of one mixing operation.
- Bench Test
A laboratory test approximating service conditions
- Blank
The rubber compound required to fill the mould cavity
- Bleeding
The migration to the products surface of plasticizers, waxes, or similar which form a film or beads. This is caused because of incompatibility with the base elastomer and/or compound ingredients.
- Blemish
A surface mark or deformity.
- Blister
A surface or internal imperfection, created by entrapped gases or internal void during the manufacture of rubber articles.
- Bloom
A white or milky coloured deposit caused by the migration of certain compound components to the rubber’s surface after moulding / storage. This does not affect the performance of the material.
- Bond
Chemical bonding involves contact adhesives with heat and pressure to adhere an elastomer to a primed surface.
- Bore
A hole in a component which permits the passage of a shaft.
- Break
A separation in any part of an article.
- Break-out
The force required to overcome initial seal to gland surface adhesion, when part movement is intermittent. This is a common term to describe one type of friction.
- Brittleness
Tendency to crack when deformed.
- Brittlepoint
The temperature at which a rubber specimen will fracture under sudden impact.
- BSI
British Standards Institution is a business services provider whose principal activity is the production of standards and the supply of standards-related services.
- Buna-N
Nitrile rubber.
- Butyl
A copolymer of isobutylene with small amounts of isoprene.
- Carbon black
Black pigment used as a reinforcing agent in elastomer compounds.
- Cavity
The features of a mould which are directly responsible for forming the final shape of a moulded part. Mould cavities are formed from two or more mating components of a mould.
- Cellular Rubber
Generic term for materials containing many cells dispersed through the mass of material’
- Co-polymer
An elastomer consisting of two different monomers chemically combined.
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Average expansion per degree over a stated temperature range expressed as a fraction of initial dimension.
- Cold Flexibility
Flexibility of an elastomer following exposure to a set low temperature for a specified time.
- Cold Flow
Describes the tendency of some materials to deform or creep under constant sealing pressure.
- Cold Resistant
Able to withstand the effects of cold or low temperatures without loss of serviceability.
- Composite Seal
Combines the sealing performance of elastomer with the physical properties of the bonded material. (metal / plastic etc.)
- Compound
A term applied to a mixture of polymers and other ingredients to produce a usable rubber material.
- Compression Modulus
The ratio of the compressive stress to the resulting compressive strain (the latter expressed as a fraction of the original height or thickness in the direction of the force). Compression modulus may be either static or dynamic.
- Compression moulding
Process in which the uncured material is placed directly in the mould cavity and compressed to shape by closure of the mould under heat and pressure.
- Compression Set
The amount by which a rubber specimen does not fully return to its original shape after release from a constant compressive load.
- Conductive rubber
a rubber capable of conducting (generally static) electricity
- Corrosion
Wearing of a surface due to chemical reaction.
- Cracking
A sharp break or crack in the surface of the seal, generally due to excessive strain.
- Creep
Progressive relaxation of rubber material while under stress. Eventually results in permanent deformation.(also known as cold flow)
- Cross-linking
The formation of chemical bonds in the polymer chains of a rubber during the moulding process.
- Cross-Section
A seal as viewed if cut at right angles to the mould parting line. Also known as the width.
- Curatives
The chemicals involved in curing the rubber, e.g. Accelerators, vulcanising agents, activators etc.
- Cure
See Vulcanization.
- Cure date
Date when the part was moulded. For example 1Q15 indicates a cure date of first quarter 2015
- Curing
Also known as vulcanisation, this is the permanent change which the rubber undergoes during moulding. When mixed, rubber compounds are thermoplastic and will melt and deform easily. After curing, the rubber is heat stable.
- Curing temperature
Temperature at which a rubber product is vulcanised.
- Cylinder
Chamber in which piston, plunger, ram, rod, or shaft is driven by or against the system fluid.
- Deflashing
Process used to remove the excess material (flash) from a finished moulded rubber part.
- Degassing
Controlled outgassing of the volatile components of an elastomer.
- Density
The mass per unit volume of a material. (Also known as specific gravity).
- Diffusion
The mixing of two or more substances (solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of them) due to the intermingling motion of their individual molecules. Gases diffuse more readily than liquids; similarly, liquids diffuse more readily than solids.
- Dumbbell specimen
a flat specimen of rubber having a narrow straight central portion of uniform cross section with enlarged ends. Used for testing purposes
- Durometer
(a) Numerical scale of hardness of a rubber compound. The numerical hardness ranges from 30-40 for softer materials to 90-95 for harder materials.
(b) An instrument for measuring the hardness of rubber. It measures the resistance to the penetration of an indenter point into the surface of rubber - Dynamic
An application in which the seal is subject to movement, or moving parts contact the seal.
- Dynamic Seal
A seal required to prevent leakage past parts which are in relative motion.
- Elasticity
The recovery of an article which returns it to its original shape after deformation.
- Elastomer
A term to describe synthetic or natural materials with resilience or memory sufficient to return to its original shape after distortion.
- Elongation
Generally means “ultimate elongation” or percent increase in original length of a specimen when it breaks.
- Explosive decompression
the rupture of a rubber article caused by the rapid reversal of pressure, causing dissolved gases in the rubber to escape quickly to the surface of the vulcanizate.
- Extrusion
Distortion or flow, under pressure, of a portion of the seal into clearance between mating metal parts.
- Face Seal
A seal between two flat surfaces. (Also see axial seal)
- FDA
Food and Drug Administration is a US Government agency that regulates ingredients in rubber compounds that are intended for use in food and medical applications.
- Filler
Material added to the elastomer to aid processing and improve physical properties, i.e., abrasion resistance and strength – giving it varying degrees of hardness. Typical example is carbon black.
- Flash
Excess rubber found on the rubber part after moulding. This refers particularly to thin films of rubber formed at tool split lines etc. It is removed by trimming.
- Flex Cracking
The tendency of some materials to crack as a result of repeated bending or stressing at the same point.
- Flex Resistance
The ability of a rubber article to withstand dynamic bending stresses.
- Flow lines
Surface imperfections on a moulded article caused by failure of the elastomer to blend with itself during the moulding operation.
- Formulation
A list of the various materials used in the preparation of a compound. Can also be known as describe a rubber “recipe.
- Friction
Resistance to motion due to the contact of surfaces.
- Friction (Breakout)
Friction developed during initial or starting motion.
- Friction (Running)
Constant friction developed during operation of a dynamic O-Ring.
- Gasket
A static sealing device used to retain fluids under pressure or to keep out foreign matter.
- Gland
Cavity into which a seal is installed.
- Groove
The machined recess into which an O-Ring is installed.
- Groove Depth
The groove depth is the distance from the sealing surface to the seal groove surface. The groove depth determines how much the seal is compressed and how much cross-sectional compression (squeeze) is applied to the seal.
- Hardness
Material property characterised by resistance to distortion. This is measured by resistance of a material to the indenter point of a standard hardness testing instrument.
- Hardness Shore A
This is the rubber durometer hardness as measured on a Shore “A” gauge. Higher numbers indicate harder material. A Shore “A” reading of 35 is considered soft and 90 is considered hard.
- Heat Ageing
Rubber materials are often tested for shorter times at higher temperatures to predict what will happen over longer times and at lower temperatures. This is also known as accelerated ageing.
- Hermetic Seal
An airtight seal.
- Homogeneous
(a) General – a material of uniform composition throughout.
(b) In seals – a rubber seal without fabric or metal reinforcement.
- I.D.
the inside diameter of an O ring / seal.
- I.R.H.D. (International Rubber Hardness Degrees)
A system of defining an elastomer by its resistance to penetration of a known geometry indenter by a known force.
The micro-technique is reproducible on irregular as well as flat surfaces and on cross-sections as small as 1mm in thickness (.04″). Measurements taken using the IRHD scale are similar, but not identical, to those obtained using the Shore A scale. - Immersion
Placing an item into fluid so that it is completely covered.
- Injection Moulding
A moulding method in which a rubber or plastic material is heated and forced under pressure into the mould cavity.
- Insert
A term referring to a metal or plastic component, placed into a mould cavity prior to the start of the moulding cycle, to which rubber or plastic is chemically and/or physically bonded during the moulding process.
- ISO
International Organization for Standardization. ISO’s main products are international standards. ISO also publishes technical reports, technical specifications, publicly available specifications and guides
- Joule Effect
A characteristic of rubber where the rubber, under tension when heated, contracts rather than expands. This effect only occurs when rubber is subject to strain while being heated – unstrained rubber will expand as it is heated.
- Leakage Rate
The rate at which a fluid (liquid or gas) passes a barrier. Total leakage rate includes the amounts that diffuse or permeate through the material of the barrier as well as the amount that escapes around it.
- Life Test
A laboratory procedure used to establish the amount and duration of resistance of an article to a specific set of destructive forces or conditions.
- Linear Expansion
Expansion in any one linear dimension or the average of all linear dimensions.
- Low Temperature Flexibility
The ability of a rubber product to be flexed or bent at low temperatures without cracking.
- Memory
Ability of a material to return to original shape after deformation.
- Micro-hardness
A measurement of rubber hardness. Micro-hardness, like Shore A duro, is also a measurement of indentation. It uses a smaller indenter and lower force than a standard instrument and allows measurements on smaller specimens and thinner sheets.
- MIL STD
Military Standard.
- Mismatch
Moulding defect which results in rings being out of line. Caused by misalignment of the mould halves i.e. the top and bottom are out of line. Also referred to as ‘off register’
- Modulus
Tensile stress at a specified elongation. (Usually 100% elongation).
- Modulus of elasticity
A measurement of stiffness or resistance to deformation.
- Mould Cavity
See cavity
- Mould Finish
The surface finish of the mould which provides the required surface quality of the finished part.
- Mould marks
Surface imperfections caused by marks on the mould
- Mould release
Lubricant used to assist the removal of rubber product from the mould.
- MS
Military Standard
- Natural Rubber
Raw or crude rubber obtained from plant sources.
- Nitrile
(Buna-N) The most commonly used elastomer for O-Rings because of its resistance to petroleum fluids, good physical properties and useful temperature range.
- Nominal size
Approximate size of an O-Ring expressed in fractional dimensions.
- Non-fill
A defect caused by the failure of rubber material to totally fill the mould cavity.
- O-Ring
A torus; a circle of material with round cross-section which provides a seal through squeeze and pressure.
- O-Ring Seal
The combination of a gland and an O-Ring providing a fluid-tight closure.
Moving (Dynamic) – O-Ring seal where there is relative motion between some gland parts and the O-Ring (oscillating, reciprocating, or rotary motion).
Non-moving (Static) – O-Ring seal in where there is no relative motion between any part of the gland and the O-Ring (distortion from fluid pressure or swell from fluid immersion is excluded). - O.D.
Outside diameter of an O Ring / seal.
- Occlusion
The mechanical entrapment of gases, liquids or solids within a substance.
- Off register
See mismatch.
- Oil Resistant
The ability of a rubber to resist swelling and deteriorating effects of various oils.
- Oil Swell
The change in volume of a rubber article due to absorption of oil or other fluid.
- Optimum Cure
degree of cure giving the most desirable properties.
- Outgassing
Occurs in vacuums where the volatile materials in a rubber compound are vaporized and released into the surrounding environment.
- Overcure
An amount of cure greater than the optimum, causing some properties to be degraded, usually loss of elongation and increase of hardness.
- Oxidation
The reaction of oxygen on a rubber product, usually detected by a change in the appearance or feel of the surface or by a change in physical properties.
- Ozone Resistance
The ability to withstand the deteriorating effect of ozone (which usually causes cracking).
- Permanent set
The amount of deformation in a rubber part after a distorting load has been removed.
- Permeability
The rate at which a liquid or gas under pressure passes through a solid material by diffusion and solution.
- Piston Seal
A bore seal in which the seal is mounted in a groove machined into a piston. The term piston seal usually implies an application involving linear reciprocating motion.
- Plasticisers
Chemical agents which are added to the rubber compound to soften the elastomer and provide flexibility and improve processing.
- Polymer
A material formed by the joining together of many (poly) individual units (mer) of one or more monomers; synonymous with elastomer.
- Porosity
The presence of pores or holes in a material.
- Post Cure
The controlled continuation of vulcanization (usually in an oven), which completes the curing process, drives off residual products, and gives stabilized parts.
- Potable
A liquid that is safe or suitable for drinking
- QS 9000
Quality System Model establishes a set of standards for the automotive industry. This standard incorporates ISO 9001 plus the automotive requirements.
- Radial Seal
Compression is directed along the radius of the seal.
- Reciprocating Seal
Seals used in moving piston and rod applications.
- Reinforcing Agent
Ingredient added to a rubber formulation to improve physical properties such as tensile strength, compression set. Carbon black is a common reinforcing agent used in rubber.
- Resilience
The term used to describe “bounce” or “snap”. – the capability of returning to the original size and shape after deformation.
- Resilient
Capable of returning to original size and shape after deformation.
- RMS
Root Mean Square. A measure of surface roughness typically applied to the machining of metal gland and shaft surfaces.
- Rod
See shaft
- Rod Seal
A sealing system, usually in a radial orientation, in which the main sealing surface is between the I.D. of a seal ring and the O.D. of a shaft.
- Rotary Seal
Seals for rotating shaft, with the turning shaft protruding through the inside dia of the ring/seal.
- Rubber
See elastomer.
- SAE
Society of Automotive Engineers
- Scorching
Premature curing of compounded rubber during processing or storage. This may adversely affect material flow and plasticity during subsequent processes.
- Seal
A device used to prevent the passage of a fluid (gas or liquid).
- Sealing Surface
Where the seal and mating surface come in contact to form a barrier to prevent the passage of some type of medium i.e. fluid or gas.
- Service
Operating conditions to be met.
- Set
The degree to which a rubber does not fully recover to its original shape after it has been deformed for a long period of time. Also referred to as permanent set.
- Shelf-Aging
The change in an elastomer’s properties which can occur due to exposure to stressful environmental factors during storage. This can affect the seal performance. This problem can be avoided by using correct packaging and storage conditions.
- Shore A Hardness
See Hardness and Durometer.
- Shrinkage
a) Decreased volume of seal, usually caused by extraction of soluble constituents by fluids followed by air drying.
b) Difference between finished part dimensions and mold cavity used to make the part. - Silicone Rubber
Elastomer that retains good properties through extra wide temperature range.
- Size Number
Number assigned to indicate inside and cross section diameters of an O-Ring. For example, sizes in standard AS 568A were adopted by military and industry
- Size, Actual
Actual dimensions of the O-Ring or other seal, including tolerance limits.
- Size, Nominal
the approximate size of an O-Ring expressed in fractional dimensions.
- Specific Gravity
The ratio of the weight of a given substance to the weight of an equal volume of water at a specified temperature. It is used as a comparison tool to determine the relative density of seal materials, helping to identify base polymers and compounds.
- Spiral failure
Spiral failure occurs when certain parts of the O ring slide while other parts simultaneously roll. The ring gets caught on an eccentric component or against the cylinder wall, rolls and is twisted in the application. This results in cuts or marks which spiral around its circumference
- Sprue Marks
Marks, usually raised, left on the surface of a rubber part, after removal of the sprue (pouring nozzle) or cured compound in the gate through which the compound is injected or transfer molded
- Squeeze
The compression of O-ring between surface of the groove bottom and mating metal part in the assembly.
- Static Seal
Part used to seal between parts having no relative motion.
- Strain
Deformation of rubber material due to an applied force (stress).
- Stress
An applied force or load.
- Stress Relaxation
Decreasing stress with constant strain over a given time.
- Surface Finish
A term used to refer to the roughness of a surface’s texture.
- Swell
Increased volume of a specimen caused by immersion, usually in a liquid (oils).
- Synthetic Rubber
Manufactured or man-made elastomers.
- Tear Resistance
Resistance to the growth of a cut or nick when tension is applied to the specimen. Commonly expressed as pounds per inch (psi) thickness.
- Temperature Range
Maximum and minimum temperature limits within which a seal compound will function effectively in a given application.
- Tensile Strength
The extension force per cross-sectional area required to fracture a material specimen.
- Tensile Strength
Force in pounds per square inch required to cause the rubber specimen to reach breaking point.
- Terpolymer
A polymer consisting of three different, chemically combined monomers.
- Thermal Degradation
Deterioration of the material properties due to exposure to heat / high temperatures.
- Thermal Expansion
Expansion caused by increase in temperature.
- Thermoplastics
Polymeric materials that soften and can be re-formed when heated, returning to original properties when cooled.
- Thermoset
Elastomers that undergo a permanent chemical crosslinking of molecules when processed, heated and moulded and cannot be reprocessed.
- Torque
Turning or twisting force, generally associated with the rotation of a shaft.
- Torsional strength
Ability of a seal to withstand damage due to twisting.
- TPE
Thermoplastic Elastomer combines the rubberlike performance of elastomers with the processing advantages of plastic. Scrap material can be recycled without significant loss of physical properties.
- Trim
Removal of excess material (flash) from a moulded rubber article.
- Trim cut
Damage to the moulded article by trimming too close.
- Ultimate Elongation
See Elongation.
- Undercure
Removing rubber from the mould before the vulcanisation process has been completed. Often results in porosity in the rubber or unusually poor compression set.
- Viscosity
The resistance of a material to flow under stress.
- Voids
The absence of material, or an area devoid of materials where not intended
- Volume Change
A change in the volume of a seal as a result of immersion into a fluid, expressed as a percentage of the original volume.
- Volume Swell
Increase in physical size caused by the swelling action of a liquid.
- Vulcanization
A process involving the use of heat and pressure, resulting in a permanent chemical change, giving greatly increased strength and elasticity of rubber materials.
- Vulcanizing Agent
A material which assists vulcanization of an elastomer.
- Weathering
The detrimental effect upon a material after outdoor exposure. For example surface cracks on an O ring after exposure to ozone.
- Width
Seal cross-section or thickness
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