How to prevent deformation of silicone sealing rings? Silicone sealing rings are widely used in food, medical, industrial equipment and other fields due to their excellent high and low temperature resistance, aging resistance and environmental protection characteristics. However, during use, the sealing ring often experiences deformation problems such as twisting and crushing due to material defects, unreasonable design, or improper operation, leading to sealing failure, equipment leakage, and even shutdown risks. According to statistics, about 60% of early failures of silicone seals are caused by deformation damage. Deformation not only shortens product lifespan, but may also pose safety hazards.
Optimize product structure design
Reasonably design the cross-sectional shape of the sealing ring, for example, for some high-pressure environments, a combination sealing structure can be used, combining the silicone rubber sealing ring with other sealing components to disperse pressure and reduce the deformation of the sealing ring. In hydraulic systems, a combination of O-ring and retaining ring can be used. The retaining ring can provide support for the O-ring and prevent it from being squeezed into the gap and deformed under high pressure.
Determine the appropriate sealing ring size based on different working conditions and sealing requirements. For example, for motion seals, it is necessary to ensure that the sealing ring has sufficient elasticity to compensate for the gap changes between moving parts, while also avoiding excessive compression deformation caused by oversized dimensions.
Increase product strength design
By adding an appropriate amount of reinforcing agent to silicone rubber, the strength and rigidity of the sealing ring can be improved. Common reinforcing agents include white carbon black, calcium carbonate, etc. White carbon black is a commonly used reinforcing agent for silicone rubber, which can form a good bond with silicone rubber molecules and improve the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear strength of silicone rubber. Generally, during the mixing process of silicone rubber, white carbon black is added in a certain proportion (such as 10-30 parts white carbon black/100 parts silicone rubber), and after thorough mixing, the reinforcing agent is uniformly dispersed in the silicone rubber matrix.
In terms of production and manufacturing
Optimize processing technology
Strictly control the vulcanization process parameters, including vulcanization temperature, time, pressure, etc. The vulcanization process is a key step in the formation of silicone rubber seals, and appropriate vulcanization conditions can form stable cross-linked structures between the molecular chains of silicone rubber, thereby improving the performance of the seals. For example, for general silicone rubber materials, the vulcanization temperature is usually between 150-200 ℃, the vulcanization time depends on factors such as product thickness, and is generally between 5-20 minutes. The vulcanization pressure is generally between 5-15MPa. If the vulcanization is insufficient, the strength and elasticity of the sealing ring will be insufficient, and it is easy to deform; Excessive vulcanization can cause the sealing ring to become hard and brittle, and also reduce its service life.
To ensure the accuracy and quality of the mold, it is necessary to ensure that the dimensional accuracy and surface roughness of the mold cavity meet the requirements during the mold design and manufacturing process. High precision molds can ensure that the silicone rubber sealing ring can accurately fill the cavity during the molding process, reducing the size deviation and internal stress concentration of the sealing ring caused by mold problems, thereby reducing the possibility of deformation.
In terms of usage and maintenance
Proper use and installation
When installing the sealing ring, ensure that it is correctly installed in the predetermined position to avoid twisting, excessive stretching, and other situations. For example, when installing an O-ring, specialized installation tools such as mounting rods or rings should be used to evenly push the O-ring into the sealing groove. Excessive force or sharp tools should not be used to directly insert it to avoid damaging the sealing ring.
Reasonably select the working pressure and temperature range of the sealing ring to operate within the allowable range of the design. If the work pressure or temperature exceeds the bearing range of the sealing ring, the sealing ring is prone to deformation, aging and other problems. If working in a high-temperature environment, silicone rubber materials with better high-temperature resistance should be selected, and the cross-sectional area of the sealing ring should be appropriately increased to improve its pressure resistance.
Regular maintenance and inspection
Regularly inspect the sealing ring to see if there is any deformation, wear, aging, or other phenomena. For some long-term equipment, a regular maintenance plan can be developed, such as checking the condition of the sealing ring once a month or every quarter. If slight deformation is found in the sealing ring, the development of deformation can be slowed down by adjusting the working parameters of the equipment (such as reducing pressure, temperature, etc.), while closely observing the changes in the sealing ring.
Timely clean the impurities and oil stains on the surface of the sealing ring. Impurities may cause scratches or increase the friction between the sealing ring and the sealing surface, leading to deformation of the sealing ring. Use appropriate cleaning agents (such as alcohol) and cleaning tools (such as a soft bristled brush) to clean the sealing ring, but be careful to avoid corrosion of the sealing ring material by the cleaning agent.
In terms of environmental control
temperature control
Try to avoid exposing equipment and sealing rings to extreme temperature environments. If the equipment needs to work in a high-temperature environment, insulation measures can be considered, such as adding a heat shield outside the equipment to reduce heat transfer to the sealing ring. For low-temperature environments, appropriate insulation measures can be taken, such as using heating belts to insulate the sealing ring during equipment shutdown, to prevent the sealing ring from becoming brittle or deformed due to low temperature.
Humidity control
High humidity environments may cause silicone rubber seals to absorb water and expand, especially in situations where sealing requirements are high. The sealing ring after absorbing water and expanding may cause sealing failure. Dehumidification equipment can be used to reduce environmental humidity, or desiccants can be installed inside the equipment to absorb moisture and keep the environment around the sealing ring dry.
Avoid chemical corrosion environment
Understand the chemical properties of the medium that silicone rubber seals come into contact with, and avoid long-term contact between the seals and highly corrosive chemicals. If it must be used in an environment with corrosive media, silicone rubber materials with corresponding chemical corrosion resistance should be selected. For example, for some acidic or alkaline media, acid alkali resistant silicone rubber seals designed with special formulas can be used. At the same time, it is necessary to regularly check the corrosion of the sealing ring and the contact area with the medium, and replace damaged sealing rings in a timely manner.