Optimal O-rings
Mystery Solved! Smart Products stops customer's
O-ring swelling and establishes a system to match the right
O-ring with the right 300 Series modular check valve
Why was a customer using the standard sulphur-cured EPDM O-rings experiencing swelling over a period of time in some water applications and not all of their systems? Smart Products immediately began a quest to find this answer…and ultimately created a new way to create the optimal O-ring for a customer’s specific design criteria. Here’s how.
Smart Products learned that this particular water application was being implemented throughout the United States and approached the situation by working with the customer while they tested water samples from the areas where O-rings had swollen over a period of time. The results showed that these locations use different chemicals and chloramines to treat their water. After this key discovery, Smart Products was able to recommend peroxide-cured EPDM O-rings, which will not cause swelling when fused with these particular chemicals.
“We sent the customer some sample valves so they could do a soak test in their systems, and we also sampled some of the O-rings for them to perform an accelerated life test in order to determine if the O-ring would swell,” says Cathy Jernigan at Smart Products' headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA. “The peroxide-cured O-rings proved to be the solution they needed. Once we know the particular chemical requirements of an application, we can help customers establish which O-ring will work best for their specific design criteria.”
Why this example is important to you...
This experience strengthened Smart Products’ ability to customize O-rings, which is particularly beneficial for customers using the 300 series modular check valves. The versatility of this series allows a wide range of options for each particular component of the valve – including the creation of an optimal O-ring to fit any of the 12 end fittings that are a part of the 300 Series.
The 300 series offers O-rings available in Buna-N, Ethylene-Propylene, Viton ®, Silicone, Fluorosilicone, Aflas, and Kalrez ®. Once the ideal material is selected, Smart Products can examine the compounds of each O-ring and determine the best curing option.
Jernigan continues to add, “This example is one of many reasons why we don't pre-build anything. Every component has to work every time in each customer's application. We like to work closely with each of our customers and determine the best O-ring for them. We send them specific samples to conduct their own soak test. Like every component of a 300 series valve, we require our O-rings to be very high in quality in order to ensure ideal performance.”
At Smart Products, our approach is unique – we work with you to find or create an optimal O-ring during any phase of your project.
Questions? Call a Product & Application Specialist today at (800) 338-0404. For customers in the Atlanta, GA area, Smart Products invites you to visit us March 24 & 25 at the Design 2 Part tradeshow located at the Cobb Galleria Centre Booth #348.
About Smart Products, Inc.
Smart Products, Inc., located in Morgan Hill, California, designs and manufactures an extensive family of plastic valves, pumps, and related components. Designed to allow a virtually limitless number of possible combinations to fit specific needs, products are used in a wide range of applications, including medical diagnostic and treatment, gas analysis, filtration, beverage dispensing, printing, and many others. The company also offers custom design capabilities, special testing, and custom assemblies.
