O-Ring Basics

Seal Thinking™

Elastomer seals are unlike any other materials that design engineers confront. Metal or plastic parts, for instance, are probably failing if visibly distorted. Seals deform into leak paths to function properly. In most applications, o-rings are installed with preset squeeze and stretch as correct design intent.

Apple Rubber Products, Inc. • 310 Erie Street • Lancaster, NY 14086 • 1.800.828.7745

1. Introduction

2. Products & Services

3. O-Ring Basics

4. Seal Types & Gland Design

5. Critical Operating Environmental Factors

6. Material Selection Guide

7. Special Elastomer Applications

8. Troubleshooting

9. Sizes & How to Order

10. Glossary of Terms

11. Rules of Thumb

12. Formulas

13. Seal Glossary

14. Bibliography / Trademarks