NES is at the forefront of technological development for the UK space sector. The UK space sector has been growing and going from strength to strength in recent years as we, as a nation, look to position ourselves as a leading manufacturer. We provide a number of different seals to be used in this burgeoning […]
The nuclear sector is among the most demanding energy sectors when it comes to what is required of materials used in energy production. As producers of seals that will be put to use in crucial areas, we must rigorously test all the different types of materials and seal shapes we use. That way, if we […]
Astra seals are a unique seal developed for extreme temperatures to provide sealing in high-pressure environments. This is a pressure sealing solution developed and manufactured by NES and there is really no better sealing option for cryogenic application. NES’ Astra seals have been successfully used in a number of space shuttle and rocket launches, our […]
The renewable energy sector is growing every year with demand continuing to rise and technological advancements occurring at a rapid pace to meet the demand. Sealing for machinery and systems is important as not only does it literally help to keep the whole thing together but it also factors in massively to the overall functionality […]
As the wind industry goes from strength to strength it becomes more and more important that turbines also become more sustainable, easy to maintain and reliable. Selecting the perfect sealing is key to preventing current and future problems. It’s important to note where wind turbines are typically erected when considering the importance of using the […]
O-rings are a crucial component and are vital to the overall performance of your application. Despite this, they are something that many take for granted without thinking about what would happen if they fail. Essentially, they become an afterthought. However, O-rings are an integral part of your machine and application because, without them, things would […]
With many types of fluoropolymers available, it can prove challenging to work out what is the best option. There are subtle variances in the structure of PTFE, FEP and PFA and they all offer something different but what are the main differences between these three materials? PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene is also known as PTFE and was […]
When it comes to compound deterioration, heat is one of the most destructive forces. Therefore, understanding “what is the best high temperature O-ring” is a crucial factor. If you are working with temperatures over 150°C then there are a number of materials you can consider such as FKM, FVMQ, and FFKM to name but a […]
In order to identify the biocompatibility of materials, USP Class VI testing is required. As one of the most widely used methods, VI forms part of six different classes with this being the most thorough. This form of testing is developed to certify that no harmful reactions or long-term issues are caused to the body […]
O-rings are a crucial element in manufacturing and the operating of machinery but when it comes to installing rings, it is important you know what to look out for. When it comes to installing O-rings, it’s important that you get it right from the beginning as this will help to save time and money. Therefore, […]
An O-ring is a mechanical gasket that is shaped like a ring and they are placed within grooves and are developed to handle compression between two parts. This then works to create a seal, making them one of the most common seals seen in machine design. The Purpose of O-Rings The main purpose of O-rings […]
O-rings can fail for several reasons but there are more common reasons as to why this can occur. So, this article will help to identify the indications and causes of O-ring failure: Extrusion and Nibbling Indications of this problem appear as nibbles or nicks taken from the low-pressure side of the seal. This is caused […]
O-ring failure is common when they are exposed to vibration and chemicals that cause corrosion. As a result, small fragments from seals can end up working their way into the product stream. In most cases, this can cause production and processes to stop in order to replace the O-ring. However, when this occurs in industries […]
Used in a wide range of applications, O-rings are the most commonly used type of seal in a multitude of industries. O-rings come in many forms but the most common are rubber O-rings which come in a number of compounds that are developed to suit a variety of applications. We provide a full range of […]
Inflatable seals are developed to provide a solution when it comes to sealing against powders, gases, liquids, dust and granules. They are generally used to seal fabricated equipment where the sealing gap can vary while they are useful in instances where assembly and disassembly must take place quickly. They are also suitable for use where […]
An inflatable seal is an elastomeric tube that can be made from several different elastomers or can also be fabric-reinforced and custom molded in a concave, flat or convoluted configuration. It is developed to round out when inflated to ensure that a tight barrier is created between a mounting and a striking surface. How Does […]
One of the most important aspects of producing and manufacturing food and medicines in the food and pharmaceutical industries is that contaminants are kept at bay. If they enter the production chain, then it can bring it to a grinding halt and that costs money. However, while it is possible to mitigate risks, there is […]
What is an O-Ring? The O-ring has been around since the dawn of the 20th century. Amazingly, the overall design of the O-ring has remained the same although the type of material used has changed. However, in their simple form, they are extremely straightforward and reliable. How Do They Work? They take their name from […]
Sealing solutions are a vital part of nearly every industrial application but this is more important in those applications within the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have the responsibility of ensuring that their products meet minimal requirements and so they offer quality and assurance when reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Aside from […]
MAST is an expert in designing, developing and manufacturing innovative RF, microwave and EMI absorbing materials for integration into military and electronics solutions. These include reliable high-temperature, corrosion resistant products for harsh environments on military aircraft, ships and ground vehicles as well as EMI shielding for electronics packages, wireless antennas and telecom data transmission applications. […]
As a result of exposure to high temperatures as well as vibration and corrosive clean-in-place chemicals, it is common for O-rings that are used in industrial processing operation to fail. When this happens, fragments of rubber from gaskets and seals can shear off and that can mean that they then find their way into sanitary […]
When it comes to seals, there might be a lot to think about, after all, it’s imperative that you get it right and that it works for your application. However, get it wrong and it could prove costly and cause a wide range of problems. Therefore, when it comes to static seals they are categorised […]
If you have developed a piece of machinery that require seals, you are going to need to determine which seals are right for your chosen application. As a result, you should not overlook the process of designing in the right o-ring within an application. If you choose the right o-rings, this will commonly help you […]
Wind power is one of the most prominent energy sources of the future. As we look to greener alternatives for generating electricity, we are seeing more and more wind turbines being installed across the country. As it stands, there are over 7,000 turbines connected to the national grid in the UK and this is only […]
It is vital to understand that most elastomers have different formulas that can reduce the working temperature of the compound. In situations where a certain material has been deemed suitable as a result of its chemical compatibility or even its mechanical properties, there could be a version available for low temperatures. Here we give you […]
In the food industry, there are a wide range of applications that come with a number of challenging requirements. Hygiene standards and legislative manufacturing regulations are constantly changing and so, seals must also comply with these. Elastomers that are used in pipes and pumps, as well as reaction vessels and process equipment have to be […]
There is a distinct reason why many different industries would require the use of metal detectable and X-Ray detectable rubber materials and we aim to help you gain an understanding of where and why these would be used. Regulations in the Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industries Specific government regulations stipulate that it is crucial that […]
If you find yourself in a position where you have developed an application that requires seals, you need to ensure that you make the right choice. Finding the correct seals is imperative to the success of your application and as a result, choosing the correct O-Ring should never be underestimate. Along with this, the demands […]
When developing seals for the food environment, there are many things that you need to consider, and these cover the development process and right through to the manufacturing process. The food industry and environment are unlike many others as it is one where hygiene is of significant importance and so when developing seals, there are […]
If you have the correct tools available to use, the process of measuring an O-Ring is relatively simple. All you need to undertake the measurement process is a clean surface that is level, an O-Ring and a device that you can use to measure such as a calliper although other measuring tools can be used […]
Shore A Rubber materials come with a range of qualities that all play into the sealing process and its complexity. There are tolerances, environmental factors as well as compression set but also, the hardness is also a vital component. The hardness is measured by Durometer and this will measure the hardness in materials such as […]
In the basic sense, hardness relates to the way in which a material reacts to intrusion as well as permanent deformation from a harder body. When it comes to seals, it is a property that is a significant consideration, especially in relation to function and specification. The hardness of seal materials such as rubbers, plastics […]
As far as manufacturing component goes, seals or o-rings are taken for granted. They have a history that dates back over a century but they are still needed in many industries. They are simple in how they look and the role that they play but despite this, they are extremely important. While engineering, manufacturing and […]
Northern Engineering (Sheffield) Ltd, as a responsible citizen of the business, local, and global community, created an internal employee action plan based upon Public Health England recommendations : While we do not have direct suppliers in the impacted zones of China and Italy, we understand that the situation is dynamic and supply chains are complex. […]
Metal detectable O-rings are essential for companies that use machines fitted with rubber seals that come into contact with the product. In industries which have highly-regulated hygiene standards such as pharmaceutical, food, dairy and beverage, metal detectable elastomer O-rings will save you a significant amount of time, money and hassle. Fitted with components that are […]
Viton™ Rubber is a highly durable and versatile type of rubber that is ideal for a wide range of applications, and the strength of this rubber makes it an extremely useful material to have at your disposal. It is a form of fluoroelastomer, a type of fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber, which has very high chemical resistance […]
Fluorocarbon elastomers, commonly known as FKM, are a key component in industries that are exposed to harsh chemical conditions, ozone attacks and intense temperatures. FKM can handle environments from as low as -40°C and as high as 250°C – or higher for short periods. FKM has been shown to contain a high ratio of fluorine […]
There are two important organisations that play a key role in the regulation of elastomers and O-rings, these being the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as meeting European regulation EU1935. Any company wishing to produce USP Class O-rings for any kind of food and beverage, medical, […]
It’s no surprise that rubber seals are among the most popular choices when it comes to ensuring an airtight and watertight fit in a wide variety of industries and applications. From aerospace to the automotive industry, from electronics to engineering, from medicine to mining; regardless of the sector, rubber seals are consistently preferred as a […]
O-rings are an essential component in machinery across all kinds of industries and have been for well over a century. Despite their importance, the basic design of an O-ring has changed very little over the last 100 years – but the materials used to make them have undergone significant advances. Today, one of the most […]
O-rings are a tried and trusted method of sealing two component parts in a wide range of industries that have been relied upon for well over a century. However, just because they are an excellent solution to a universal challenge, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t susceptible to failure on occasion. There are many different […]
The the most common seal used in a multitude of industries is O-rings. From aerospace to chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical industries, O-rings come in a variety of robust materials that offer high-quality and reliable seals for many different fields. Whether it’s heavy plant or agricultural machinery, these donut-shaped rings are suitable for the most […]
Northern Engineering (Sheffield) Ltd are a leading O-ring suppliers and manufacturers who distribute a range of engineered, elastomeric products across the globe. From food and beverage industry to the pharmaceutical industry we are reputable O-ring suppliers for a variety of businesses across all industry sectors. NES offers an extensive range of O-rings that can be […]
Different types of O-ring applications One of the most crucial components of modern industry, the humble O-ring is as versatile as it is reliable. Despite having been first patented in 1896 by Swedish inventor J O Lundberg, the basic design of the O-ring has changed very little in the intervening century. Neither has the function […]
All types of silicone are polymers and are made up of siloxane. Silioxane is a chain of alternating silicone atoms and oxygen atoms, often combined with carbon or hydrogen. Found in sand, Silicone is a naturally occurring element but the majority that you’ll come across day to day are synthetic products which have been manufactured […]
If you’re looking to purchase components which are likely to come into contact with food, it’s essential to use FDA approved products. The FDA defines products requiring approval as: “any substance that is intended for use as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food.” By assuring FDA compliance, you […]
You’ll see us talk a lot about Shore A Hardness in our product descriptions, but what is it and why is it important for your design? Let’s find out. What is Shore A hardness? Shore Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a material to denting. The Shore A Hardness scale is one such […]
Having an O-ring fail in an application is never a fun event. At best, it will mean some downtime and production delays, at worst it could lead to contamination of products requiring a major clean down to rectify. One of the reasons O-rings can fail is because the material has cracked. If you’ve removed an […]
Encapsulated O-rings are specially developed seals which solve a common problem in many industries. Sometimes you need the chemical and temperature resistance of PTFE, but a PTFE O-ring wouldn’t have the flexibility you need for compressive fluid sealing. Or perhaps you want a flexible elastomer but can’t rely on the material to resist the chemicals […]
It might seem like a small detail, but the choice of o ring material is incredibly important. Picking the wrong one could result in failure of the seal, causing machinery to become damaged and expensive downtime to be caused. In terms of versatility, not much comes close to the popular and inexpensive material that is […]
One of the key factors in successful equipment design is the calculation of O ring squeeze. The amount the O ring will be squeezed by the surrounding hardware can have a bearing on the material selection, design and other key characteristics. What exactly is O ring squeeze? O ring squeeze is the amount that the […]
The world of silicone rubber is full of confusing acronyms. To an outsider, the names of some compounds can seem like a foreign language, potentially leading to confusion and misinterpretation. However, there are standardised names for the materials we use, as defined by the ISO. As such, it’s key that you’re familiar with these names […]
Silicone is one of the best multipurpose polymers out there. Its widespread use, not just in the sealing industry, is testament to the amazing properties of this material. The molecular make up of silicone, with a backbone of alternating silicone and oxygen atoms, gives it some unique characteristics that make it a top choice for […]
Having a precision manufactured seal produced for your application is the first step to getting a reliable, competent part. However, faults which occur in the fitting of such seals could lead to failure, regardless of the quality of the seal itself. For perfect installation of your seals every time, here are five tips from our […]
Rubber seals such as O rings are developed and manufactured to last. We can select materials for optimal performance for the environment they’re going to be in, such as heat resistance or chemical compatibility. However, as all polymers are unique in their make up and structure, using the right material for the application is crucial. […]
Used in some of the harshest environments, where temperature extremes and chemical interactions are common, Viton™ rubber is one of the most hard wearing fluoroelastomers in the world. It’s high performance and excellent durability make it a top choice for many specialist applications. If you’re looking for an impressively versatile material for difficult applications, you […]
Anyone who has grown up in the modern age has probably heard of Teflon™. Used in a variety of situations, from cooking to clothing, manufacturing to manicures, the amazing substance that we know as Teflon™ has proven itself to be an incredible addition to our modern lifestyles. But have you ever considered what are the […]
In mechanical engineering, o-rings are a staple of a safe, functional assembly. In environments where high pressures or temperature extremes are common, they are the simplest and most effective way to create a reliable seal. Understanding how o rings are measured is a key skill for anyone who is responsible for the purchase or reordering […]
You’ve probably come across numerous o-rings in your lifetime, whether you knew it or not. From cars to cameras, these little doughnut shaped parts are instantly forgettable but endlessly useful. They are probably one of the biggest revolutions in mechanical engineering to date, allowing us to develop new machinery, better products and safer working environments. […]
As two of the most commonly used elastomers, both Viton™ and nitrile o rings have some fantastic properties. Both offer excellent compression set and have a wide range of uses in industrial and domestic applications. However, not everything is equal between these two popular materials, and it’s important to know which is better for particular […]
New technology is always being made available, but some innovations seem to stand the test of time. One such product is the O-ring, a simple gadget that has so many applications and has been widely used since it’s conception in 1896. If you’re wondering how do O-rings work, let’s take a delve into the basics […]
In a world full of acronyms, trade names and technical jargon, it can be hard to know what’s what sometimes. If you’re wondering what the difference is between PTFE and Teflon, and who would win between Teflon vs PTFE, let’s explore these materials and see what makes them unique. What is PTFE? Let’s begin our […]
O-rings are one of the most widely used, reliable and inexpensive components of precision machinery, but they are not completely infallible. Certain issues can lead to O-ring failure, and when this happens, it’s crucial to identify the cause behind the fail so that it doesn’t happen again. Here’s what you need to know about O-ring […]
As a dedicated solutions provider, NES takes a proactive approach to developing and manufacturing unique solutions for our customers. We have built a reputation as specialists in low to medium volume, high value projects and have become the go-to supplier for complex and highly detailed profiles. Our Inflatable Seal, NES TECHNIFLATE® brand is a superb […]
We are happy to announce that our new website is now live!!!With a wealth of information related to NES products, facilities, market sectors, capabilities and product applications, the new website provides a comprehensive overview of all things NES!Interesting to look at and easy to navigate, it’s been developed to ensure that you can find exactly […]
We would like to congratulate (and celebrate) the service of one of our key members of staff here at NES – With a career spanning more than two decades, Nick Fuller is entering his 27th year of service and loving every minute of it! See Nick’s success story below… I started my working life as […]
Every year NES support a charity in the local area to dedicate all fundraising activity to. This year is no different and our chosen charity this year is Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice based in Dinnington. Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice cares for children and young adults with life shortening conditions and complex medical needs. They have […]
