How Do O Rings Work? [The Ultimate Guide]

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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 of this handy mechanical piece to see what the secrets of its success really are.

What are O-rings?

An O-ring is one of the simplest types of seal available, and despite its basic design, it’s applications and usefulness are unrivalled. Used to prevent leakages, these simple seals can be used in anything from cylinders to pumps, connectors to vacuum seals. They can be manufactured from synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber or PTFE, from thermoplastics such as TPU or TPE styrenics, or from specialist materials for chemical compatibility.

The O-ring itself is pretty self-explanatory; it’s essentially a ‘O’ shaped ring of material which is used as a gasket. It is developed to sit within a groove and to be compressed during assembly between the component parts which then, thanks to the dynamics of the shape of the O-ring, creates a perfect seal.

How do O-rings work to create a seal?

In any type of machinery, you’ll undoubtedly find an O-ring or two. They are inexpensive, reliable and easy to use, which makes them infinitely popular in the design of both static and dynamic processes. The can stand thousands of PSI of pressure, but how do O-rings work to do this?

The mechanics of an O-ring are relatively simple; here’s how they work:

  • The O-ring is manufactured alongside (usually) metallic hardware to fit perfectly within the glad of the assembly.
  • During assembly, the O-ring is fitted within the glad and is compressed as the second piece of hardware is fitted into place.
  • This compression diametrically squeezes the seal, resulting in a force which ensures full contact with both the inner and outer walls of the gland.
  • With no pressure, the natural resilience of the O-ring material will create a perfect seal and stop fluid from passing the barrier. When fluid begins to put pressure on the O-ring, the ring is pushed against the wall of the gland on the low-pressure side, therefore increasing the strength of the seal.
  • When pressure is released, the properties of the O-ring material allow it to return to its original shape, maintaining the seal and the integrity of the O-ring.

The mechanics of how O-rings work might sound complicated when explained like this, but the result is simple to understand; no leaks. The simplicity of the O-ring is what has contributed to the longevity and popularity of this product.

What would stop an O-ring from working?

When used correctly, O-rings can provide an effective seal and will function perfectly for many years. However, it’s crucial that the correct O-ring is selected for each application. There are a wide variety of elastomers and materials which can be chosen from and selecting the correct hardness and material type is essential for effective functionality. Other factors which can affect the effectiveness of the O-ring include whether the machinery is static or dynamic, how much pressure will be exerted and whether there are occasional pressure spikes in the system.

So, now if someone asks you ‘how do O-rings work’, you’ll be happy to tell them the answer. For more information on O-rings or for advice on the right products for your applications, get in touch with our technical team and they’ll be happy to help

Teflon Vs PTFE… What Really Are The Differences?

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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 exploration of Teflon vs PTFE with a closer inspection of what PTFE actually is. To give it it’s full title, polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic polymer consisting of two simple elements; carbon and fluorine. It is derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and has some unique properties that make it a useful material in a wide range of applications. For example:

  • Very high melting point: With a melting point of around 327°C, there are very few situations where PTFE would be damaged by heat.
  • Hydrophobic: It’s resistance to water means it never gets wet, making it useful in cooking, wound dressings and more.
  • Chemically inert: The majority of solvents and chemicals will not damage PTFE.
  • Low coefficient of friction: The coefficient of friction of PTFE is one of the lowest of any solid in existence, meaning nothing will stick to it.
  • High flexural strength: It’s ability to bend and flex, even at low temperatures, means it can be easily applied to a variety of surfaces without losing its integrity.

All these unique properties mean PTFE is a very useful material and is widely used in both domestic and commercial applications. You probably have PTFE in your own home, coating your non-stick cookware or providing stain resistance in your carpets and fabrics. You may also find it in nail polish, wiper blades and hair styling tools.

In other situations, PTFE is a useful product for coating the inside of pipes carrying corrosive chemicals or very hot materials. It has been successfully used in the manufacture of artificial body parts thanks to its inert nature which makes it unlikely to be rejected by the body. It can be used in lubricants and was even used in the Atomic Bomb to seal the gaskets holding the uranium.

What is Teflon?

It’s clear that PTFE is a very useful, unique product, but in order to establish the winner between Teflon vs PTFE, we need also to consider what Teflon is too. Discovered in 1938, Teflon was developed by the DuPont Co and managed by a spin-off of the company known as Chemours. Chemours trademarked the name Teflon in 1945 and began selling products treated with this non-stick, heat resistant material in 1946.

Teflon was actually discovered by accident, by a scientist called Dr. Roy Plunkett. He was working for DuPont in New Jersey trying to develop a new refrigerant, when he noticed that the TFE gas had flowed out of the bottle he was using, but the bottle was not weighing empty. Curious as to what was causing the weight, he investigated the interior of the bottle and found it was coated with a waxy material, slippery and oddly strong, which we now know to be Teflon.

Teflon is a synthetic polymer containing carbon and fluorine called polytetrafluoroethylene. That’s right, Teflon is PTFE but by another name. Teflon is the trademarked brand name for PTFE owned by Chemours, and just as we call our vacuums Hoovers and sticky tape Sellotape, so we’ve come to know PTFE by the name it was given.

Which is better in Teflon vs PTFE?

If you’ve been paying attention so far, you’ll already know what we’re going to say here. There is no winner, no better product and no reason to compare the two substances any further. In conclusion, if you’re wondering about Teflon vs PTFE, wonder no more, because they are, in fact, one and the same thing, different only in name and nothing else.

Choosing the Right Fluoropolymer O-ring: PTFE vs. FEP vs. PFA

A Guide To What Can Cause O Ring Failure

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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 failure, and the typical reasons why.

Typical causes of O-ring failure

Experience shows us that the most common reasons for O-ring failure include:

  • Improper gland design: When the gland allows too much or two little compression, the O-ring can fail.
  • Incorrect O-ring size: An improperly sized O-ring can fail under pressure.
  • Incorrect O-ring material: Hardness and type of material must be correctly selected to ensure failures don’t occur.
  • Improper installation: O-rings must be correctly sited to ensure they can function effectively.
  • Improper lubrication: An O-ring requires adequate lubrication to allow it to flex freely under pressure.
  • Contamination: Chemicals and other environmental elements that come into contact with the O-ring can cause degradation and failure.

If you’ve experienced O-ring failure, you’ll need to narrow down the cause to prevent another issue further down the line. Sometimes inspecting the failed O-ring can give clues as to why the failure occurred. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly encountered problems and how you can diagnose the fault.

Abrasion

Abrasion occurs when there is repeated contact between the O-ring and the materials it is housed within. Without proper lubrication, this contact can start to wear away the O-ring, eventually causing failure. You can check for this by inspecting the O-ring and noticing a grazed surface. In more damaged components, there may be deep lacerations and even breaks.

The fix: Use the correct O-ring sealing material when assembling the system and ensure that the metal surface of the housing is correctly finished.

Compression set

This issue means that the O-ring has lost its elasticity and is unable to return to its original O shape. It can be caused when working with elevated temperatures and is a particular risk when the gland design is faulty. You’ll notice that the O-ring has become flattened and is less circular in shape.

The fix: If you’re working with extreme temperatures, using elastomer materials with higher temperature capabilities or low compression set ratings will extend the life of your O-ring.

Nibbling and extrusion

Under extremes of high pressure, the O-ring can be forced into the gaps in the housing, causing what is known as extrusion. You’ll see evidence of this if the ring has a frilly appearance on the low-pressure side. Cycles of pressure and no pressure can cause the ring to become damaged on this extruded edge, a condition we call nibbling which is evident by chipping and peeling of the O-ring’s edge.

The fix: Using a harder seal can help, as can using secondary O-rings to reduce gaps in the assembly.

Thermal damage

O-ring failure can occur if the operating temperature is higher than the temperature limit of the material in use. Two types of damage can occur in this situation. The first is known as thermal degradation, where the temperature has reached such a level that it has interfered with the chemical composition of the O-ring, making it harder and less elastic. You’ll see evidence of this if the surface of your failed O-ring is cracked or shiny. Thermal extrusion occurs when the O-ring extrudes into the gaps on both sides due to temperature elevation. Unlike the extrusion discussed above, this will often occur on both sides of the ring.

The fix: Choosing the right material for your O-ring is essential, so if you know you’ll be working at high temperatures, take advice on which materials will cope. Designing the gland so there is sufficient space to accommodate the expanded O-ring can avoid extrusion too.

There are numerous other reasons for O-ring failure, so if you’ve encountered a problem and cannot diagnose it from our guide, get in touch with our experts and we’ll be happy to help. When used correctly, O-rings are amazingly robust pieces of kit, so take professional advice and ensure you’re getting the right tool for the job.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Inflation Never Looked So Good.

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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 example of our innovative and flexible approach to delivering exactly the right solutions for the application.

Used in diverse applications across a wide range of sectors including Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Aerospace and Defence and Energy and Power, NES TECHNIFLATE® prides itself on being extruded and manufactured in-house, allowing full dimensional control.

A recent project highlights not only NES TECHNIFLATE® product performance, but also the problem-solving skills and insight applied to deliver a solution which significantly enhances operational procedures for the customer.

The Project : To facilitate the maintenance of a hydro-turbine shaft in which the seal was required to withstand a 3 metre waterhead pressure.

The Challenge : The customer faced costly operational downtime due to the requirement to fit a seal round the disconnected shaft. This could be avoided if a seal could be retro-fitted to the turbine shaft without disconnection. But who was up to the challenge?

The Solution : NES thrives on pushing the boundaries of innovation, exploring new solutions and problem-solving for our customers; our Engineering Team couldn’t wait to get their hands on this project!

A development programme was fast-tracked and we developed a split inflatable seal to wrap around the connected shaft and come together in a seamless transition.

Extruded and comprehensively tested in-house at NES, the sealing solution was to benefit from further innovation when our engineers applied NES patented membrane technology to each end of the seal length, removing the need for a plugged end design.

The advanced membrane technology gave full inflation without any transitional sections and, when fitted, proved to be completely watertight under inflation.

Just six weeks after the original enquiry, our customer was signing the order, delighted with the solution to a problem which had been both operational and budgetary. Not a problem any more; the inflatable seal has been connected to an automatic control system and consistently performed in both wet and dry conditions with no downtime.

A case of signed, sealed and delivered – by NES and NES TECHNIFLATE®

New NES Website Launched

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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 what you need and keep up-to-date with everything we offer…

NES’s purpose built facilities in Sheffield, central UK, is key to our success and helps us to ensure efficient and seamless production of our sealing solutions.
And, with a wide range of products such as NES Ncap™ FEP / PFA Encapsulated Seals, VulcOrings, Moulded Products, NES Techniflate® Inflatable Seals, Extrusions and Astra Seals®, our products can be made to measure and suit your applications needs. Take a look at Our Products to learn more.

NES products can be used across a wide range of industries, including Aerospace & Defence, Chemical Processing, Energy & Power, Food & Beverage, General Industrial, Pharmaceutical, Transportaion, Semiconductor and more… Take a look at our Market Sectors section for more information.

A useful new feature is wide range of information hosted on the site to download and to assist in the decision-making process. This includes Product / Market information, Material Compound Datasheets, Guidelines & more. Visit the Downloads section to see just how much useful information is there!

In addition, NES will soon be launching the new Customer Portal allowing our users to log-in to the site, download all the information they need, order and more…
We are busy working under the bonnet on this, so watch this space!

We welcome any feedback so if you would like to comment, please contact us or alternatively fill out a contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Thanks for taking the time to read and we hope you enjoy your visit!

Nick Fuller – Over 25 Years of Service

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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 an apprentice joiner working on construction sites across the country during the day and playing the club circuit with my band in the evening, the band I was in quickly found semi-success and I gave up my apprenticeship to dedicate all my time to the band, which took me overseas and touring in Europe.

It was during this time that the band made a little money and we hired roadies to carry all the heavy equipment, drive the van and set up all the gear, which allowed me more time to dedicate to groupies!

One of our lighting crew worked at NES during the day and following a full year and a half of heavy touring, the band was offered an 8 month tour of the USA, after a lot of soul searching I decided that the band was not the path I wanted to walk anymore, so I quit and applied for a “normal Job” at NES!

May 1989 I started my career at Northern Engineering Supplies (NES), as it was known back then, at the Hope Street, Rotherham location as a Production Operative, there were 6 staff at Hope street. NES was primarily a stockist of factored products including injection moulded parts, rubber products, cork and non-asbestos gaskets, rubber sheeting, gland packings, Hydraulic Hoses, Brake pipes etc supplying into stores at British Steel and the National Coal Mines.

My primary role was making hydraulic hoses and brake pipes, with some cork gasket and non-asbestos gasket punching, operating a Hytronic press.

NES at this time did very little manufacturing, however under the reign of Margaret Thatcher, the coal mines and steel plants started to decline so NES had to diversify.

During this time, NES acquired a small moulding company and began compression moulding and Injection moulding for Europower supplying rubber and plastic caps for hydraulic hoses. Vulcanised O Ring production had also begun, stocking of factored parts had ceased, the hose and punched gasket department had also closed, NES name changed to Northern Engineering (Sheffield) Ltd, I then became a moulding operative.

The business started to slowly grow and after 5 years relocated to the North Anston Trading Estate, following advice from Erik’s, NES brought N-cap technology to Europe from the USA,N-cap production began and the business really started to take off, 5 years later and another move was underway, the time to North Anston Business Centre, in a unit twice the size of the old unit.

The N-cap production was split into its own manufacturing area and staff numbers had grown to around 20. VulcOring production was also in its own unit, relying on weekly deliveries of extruded cord, H & S was also becoming an every day concern so I was asked if I would take on the role of H&S officer part time and fit it in with my normal day to day duties. Off I went to night school at the local college, to study for my NEBOSH national General certificate in H&S which I passed with a merit.

5 years later NES had the moving bug again so off we went to Monksbridge road site occupying an existing factory and quickly building work began on a brand new unit to house the N-cap production. Following the completion of the new building, it was on this site that NES began fluoropolymer extrusion and elastomeric extrusion in the existing factory, staff numbers continued to grow to 33. It was around this time NES became an International company and opened a warehouse and Sales office in Florida, USA. I continued to study H&S and gained my NEBOSH Diploma, again with a merit and became a professional member of IOSH and the British Safety Council. I was promoted to VulCoring team leader and also moulding department Team Leader.

The business really had started to move forward and land at haigh moor drive was acquired, I was a member of the new building planning team, as a team, we sat down and developed and planned the building we occupy today.

Sept 11th 2001 was the day we started to move out of the old building and into the new site, the excitement of the new move was damped down by the tragic news of the Twin Towers attack which we were all listening to on the radio whilst the move was taking place.

Once the move was complete, the new building (Current) was officially opened by the at the time Rotherham United Manager – Ronnie Moore. Months had past and work had really slowed down due to the terrorist events in the USA, the MD at that time pulled all the team leaders together and announced we may have to sell off half the building as he may have bitten off more than he could chew with the latest commitment to the new building, I had a young family and a new house to pay for, so these were worrying times, bonuses’ were cut, overtime banned, for the first time in the company’s history, the NES train had started to slowdown, however this was not before long, orders started to pick up and business was booming. Shortly after we started the quality journey and I was tasked with gaining ISO9011 accreditation for the business, I was given the responsibility of quality for NES and became the Quality Manager & MRQ. Following promotion to various department supervisor roles, I was also promoted to joint Production Manager along with Steve Ball and between us we oversaw the full production, headcount had grown to around 60 people.

It was at this point the current MD approached me with a suggestion that I take on some of his duties relating to Customers/ Technical Support & Materials, so I decided to jump off production to go over to the dark side of Technical/Sales under the job title of Development Manager, took on the responsibility of dealing with Compounders and issuing formulations for our growing compound library.

May 2006 NES was acquired by Sanders Industries, an American Aerospace company and I was once again tasked with gaining quality standard AS9100 accreditation, which I achieved later the same year. As well as Technical visits to our customer base, I was also arranging exhibitions and stand design for Erik’s Technivents in Holland and Belgium and Achema Chemical processing show in Frankfurt.

I was then asked to help the Commercial/Sales Team so I was promoted to Commercial & Technical Manager which I oversaw the customer service and the Internal Sales Team which I enjoyed successfully for a couple of years, Restructuring came about with the introduction of a new MD who decided to take on the role of Commercial Manager so I was focused back to Technical support to our Customers. College beckoned again which I took my ITOPS (International Trade & Operations) qualification, which I gained with a distinction, I then picked up the responsibility for NES logistics.

July 2014 NES and Sanders Industries were acquired by IGP and further restructuring takes place with the introduction of a matrix reporting structure in which I was relieved of my Quality and Logistics responsibilities.

So here I am today, 27 years later and headcount at 165!! I have really enjoyed my time at NES with the constant changes and every day challenges and being mostly out of my comfort zone, I am looking forward to a fresh challenge!! I have joined the band again and busy working on our 5th CD, gained my full motorcycle licence this year, some people believe I am going through a mid-life crisis, maybe I am but I wish I had gone through it earlier, nobody said it would be this much fun!!

I am very pleased to say that I have finally made it onto the NES Wall of Fame!

NES’ Charity of the Year – Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

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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 hospices across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire. Looking after children and young adults up to the age of 25 years old, the charity provides incredible support services for all family members throughout the child/young adults life journey. It is safe to say that they create extremely special, long lasting memories in their hospices which are full of love and laughter.

This is exactly why Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice holds a very special place in the heart of those at NES.

This year we are giving our all for Bluebell Wood! We have charity events planned throughout the year to make sure we give everything we possibly can to this outstanding charity.

From bake sales to car washing to a nominated office tea/coffee lady (or gentleman!) – we have lots of fun things planned to raise morale and, more importantly, raise as much money and awareness we can for Bluebell Wood. It’s safe to say that people are lining up to find out the dates for the charity carwash as this is going to be performed by the company directors David Beare and Lee Metcalfe! We cannot wait to make the most out of this spectacle and do not worry… pictures will follow!

The biggest event of the year is definitely the Three Peaks Challenge which our Quality Manager, Danielle Jovanovic, and Finance Administration Supervisor, Lauren Havenhand, will be tackling!

Never heard of it? The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales… within 24 hours. These mountains, in their usual order, are Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon; three gruelling mountains separated by two long drives! We do not fear though. We know that these two NES girls are made of tougher stuff! Both fitness junkies, they have partaken in a multitude of challenges. The likes of Pretty Muddy, Tough Mudder and Rough Runner are just a handful that have already been defeated. (Pretty Muddy was completed whilst Lauren was 7 months pregnant might we add!) These girls are not shy when it comes to a challenge and always want to push themselves further. We know that they will do NES and, more importantly, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice extremely proud!

Want to support the NES girls in their next challenging adventure? Why not visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/NES3Peaks 100% of donations go to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

As previously mentioned, we have lots of fun, adventurous activities and challenges happening throughout the year so please make sure you check our Latest News page every now and again to catch up on all the fundraising!