The O-ring is the most widely used seal in industry. It is easy to install, can be used as a double-acting seal, can seal pressures to over 5,000 psi in static and dynamic applications and is very economical.
While simple in concept, the O-ring can be sophisticated in application. The information in this catalog is intended to give a brief overview of O-ring design and selection.
Specifying O-rings
O-rings are specified by calling out the O-ring size, and the compound.
Size
O-rings are available in 349 sizes as set up by the Aerospace Standard 568 published by the Society of Automotive Engineers. These sizes are designated by dash numbers as shown on the 568 DASH Chart. For instance, an O-ring with an inside diameter (I.D.) of .362 ± .007" and a cross section (W) of .103 ± .005 is designated as: "AS568-110."
Compound Selection
Compounds are available in a variety of elastomers such as Nitrile, Neoprene, Ethylene Propylene, Fluoroelastomer, etc. To select the proper elastomer, check the following in Properties:
Fluid Compatibility Chart
Temperature Range Chart
General Elastomeric Properties
For O-ring sizes other than standard sizes, specify the actual dimensions desired for the inside diameter (I.D.) and the cross section (W). There may be a tooling charge for such non-standards.
Usually you will be able to find one best base elastomer to meet these requirements. The next step is to determine the durometer (hardness) needed, from the "Durometer-Pressure-Gap Chart"

GROOVE DESIGN CHART FOR O-RING INSTALLATION
A = Uniform Dash Number
B = Actual Cross Section Dia.
C = Dynamic1
D = Static |
E = Dynamic1 + .000/-.001
F = Static +.000/-.004
G = No Backup Ring
H = One Backup Ring |
I = Two Backup Rings
J = 500 PSI
K = 1500 PSI
L = Eccentricity3 (Maximum)
M = Radius (R) |
|
| |
|
Diametral
Squeeze (Minimum) |
Gland Depth F |
Groove Width G + .003 |
Diametral2 Clearance (Max) D |
|
|
See
A
above |
See
B
above |
See
C
above |
See
D
above |
See
E
above |
See
F
above |
See
G
above |
See
H
above |
See
I
above |
See
J
above |
See
K
above |
See
L
above |
See
M
above |
| -001 |
.040+.003 |
.004 |
.006 |
.033 |
.031 |
.056 |
- |
- |
.005 |
.0025 |
.002 |
.010 |
| -002 |
.050 +.003 |
.005 |
.008 |
.042 |
.039 |
.070 |
- |
- |
.006 |
.003 |
.002 |
.010 |
| -003 |
.060 +.003 |
.006 |
.009 |
.051 |
.048 |
.084 |
- |
- |
.007 |
.0035 |
.002 |
.016 |
| -004thru-050 |
.070 +.003 |
.007 |
.011 |
.060 |
.056 |
.098 |
.140 |
.207 |
.008 |
.004 |
.002 |
.016 |
| -102thru-178 |
.103 +.003 |
.010 |
.015 |
.090 |
.085 |
.144 |
.173 |
.240 |
.009 |
.004 |
.002 |
.016 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| -201thru-284 |
.139 +.004 |
.014 |
.021 |
.121 |
.114 |
.195 |
.210 |
.277 |
.010 |
.006 |
.003 |
.031 |
| -309thru-395 |
.210 +.005 |
.021 |
.032 |
.184 |
.173 |
.294 |
.313 |
.412 |
.011 |
.007 |
.004 |
.031 |
| -425thru-475 |
.275 +.006 |
.028 |
.042 |
.241 |
.227 |
.385 |
.410 |
.540 |
.012 |
.008 |
.005 |
.047 |
[Top]
1. The following sizes are not normally recommended for dynamic service, although special applications may permit their use: