Rubber washers are small, circular or flat-shaped components made of rubber that are designed to provide a seal or cushioning between two objects. They are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including plumbing, automotive, electronics, and construction.
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Looking to buy Rubber Washers online? Click here for Neoprene rubber washers in various sizes including M4, M5, M6, M8, M10, M12, M16 and M20, available with fast delivery. Alternatively, contact us for bespoke rubber washers for your project.
Key Takeaways:
The main purpose of rubber washers is to prevent leakage or seepage of fluids or gases between the surfaces they are placed between. They act as a barrier that seals off any openings or gaps and prevents the flow of air, water, or other fluids.
Rubber washers are preferred over other materials because of their unique properties, including their ability to conform to surfaces and their resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures. They are also highly flexible and can be easily manipulated into the desired shape or size.
Overall, rubber washers are essential components that play a critical role in ensuring the proper functioning of a wide range of machinery and equipment. Their importance in providing a leak-free and safe environment makes them a go-to choice for many industries.
These are the most common type of rubber washers typically used for applications where a tight seal is required between two flat surfaces. They come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and materials, typically manufactured in a circular shape. The flat design of these washers allows for a larger surface area to be covered, making them suitable for applications where the load needs to be spread. They provide a reliable seal against air, water, and other fluids and are commonly used in plumbing fixtures, electrical equipment and machinery.
O-rings are similar to circular rubber washers but with a round cross-section, designed to fit into a groove and compress between two surfaces. This allows O-Rings to provide a seal in both radial and axial directions. O-Rings are available in a range of sizes and materials, often used for hydraulic and pneumatic systems where they provide a high degree of sealing effectiveness against pressure and fluid leaks. Additionally, O-Rings can be found in many common appliances, automotive vehicles and industrial equipment.
These washers are made by bonding rubber to a substrate, such as metal or plastic. The bonding process is usually achieved through vulcanization, which results in an extremely strong and durable bond. Bonded rubbed washers are used in a variety of applications where a secure seal is needed between dissimilar materials including automotive fuel systems and industrial equipment. They come in a range of shapes and sizes and are typically manufactured from materials that are resistant to heat, chemicals and other harsh conditions.
Rubber washers are often preferred over plastic or metal washers for many reasons, offering a unique set of characteristics and benefits, they are used in many industries all around the globe. But what are some of the key benefits of using rubber for washer manufacturing?
Sealing Properties: Rubber washers can provide an excellent seal due to their flexibility and the way they conform to the surface they are sealing. This can make them a more suitable choice over other materials such as metal or plastic, which will not create as tight of a seal.
Excellent Resilience: The resilience of rubber washers means they can recover their original shape even after being compressed or stretched. This means they can provide a long-lasting, reliable seal in applications where they will be subjected to repeated cycles of compression and expansion such as in valves and pumps.
Chemical and Temperature Resistance: Rubber washers can resist a wide range of chemicals, making them suitable for use in harsh environments where exposure to corrosives is common. Depending on the rubber material used, some rubber washers can withstand extremely high or low temperatures without losing any vital sealing properties.
Cost-Effective: Rubber washers are almost always more cost-effective than other types of washers. This makes them a popular choice for applications where a reliable seal is required but cost is a primary consideration.
Easy to Install: Rubber washers are easy to install and require minimal tools and equipment, making them a popular choice for many applications from DIY projects to large scale industrial work. Additionally, the flexibility of rubber washers means they can often conform to slightly uneven surfaces, making them easier to work with in certain situations.
Rubber washers are widely used in various industries for their sealing and cushioning capabilities including plumbing, automotive, construction, electronics and manufacturing. Let’s explore some specific applications within these sectors.
In the plumbing industry, flat rubber washers are commonly used in plumbing fixtures and fittings such as faucets, toilets, valves and shower heads to provide a tight and leak-free seal. Additionally they can be found in pipe couplings and other connections, not only to prevent leaks, but help maintain water pressure as required. Flat plumbing rubber washers are typically manufactured from materials such as EPDM, Neoprene and Silicone rubber due to their excellent resistance to water and most chemicals, offering a long care-free life, no matter the conditions.
The automotive and motorsport industries rely on rubber flat rubber washers and O-rings to create reliable seals for engines, transmissions and exhaust systems, eliminating the risk of fluid or gas leakages. They can also be used in vehicle suspension systems to aid in dampening vibration and reduce overall noise. High-performance elastomeric materials including Viton Fluoroelastomer and Nitrile rubber are commonly used for automotive rubber washers, offering excellent resistance to fuels and harsh chemicals.
Flat rubber washers and O-rings are used within the electronics industry to create airtight seals in electronic enclosures, protecting components from dust, moisture and other environmental factors. Additionally, rubber washers can provide insulation and cushioning, helping to prevent damages of components through excess vibration or shock during operation. The materials favoured by the electronics industry for rubber washer manufacturing tend to be specialist grades of Silicone or EPDM that offer excellent electrical insulation properties.
The construction industry uses flat rubber washers, O-rings and bonded rubber washers for a whole range of different applications including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent leaks and ensure efficient operation. They can also be found in construction machinery and equipment, used to help absorb shock and vibration, reducing overall wear and tear. Rubber washers manufactured for the construction industry must be durable and able to withstand heavy usage, therefore Neoprene, EPDM and Nitrile are often selected.
Rubber washers find numerous applications within the manufacturing industry, especially within production machinery and equipment where both flat rubber washers and bonded rubber washers are used in conjunction with bolts, nuts and screws to provide a reliable seal, preventing the loosening of fastenings due to excessive vibration. These rubber washers are typically manufactured from reliable materials including Neoprene, EPDM and Nitrile. Additionally, flat rubber washers and O-rings are commonly found in conveyor systems used in food processing manufacturing facilities, where FDA approved materials such as silicone rubber are vital.
Rubber Washers are manufactured using various techniques and different machinery including CNC Digital Cutting, Hydraulic Punching and Waterjet Cutting. Among these methods, CNC digital cutting is the most common and versatile manufacturing technique for rubber washers. Here is an overview of each method:
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) digital cutting is a precise and efficient manufacturing method for rubber washers. It involves using computer controlled cutting machines equipped with specialised tools to accurately shape and cut rubber materials. CNC digital cutting offers several benefits for rubber washer production including:
Hydraulic Punching is an older and more traditional manufacturing method commonly used for smaller production runs of rubber washers. It involves using a hydraulic press equipped with specially designed cutters to create the desired dimensions and holes in rubber materials. Whilst it might be suitable for small designs or low volume production, hydraulic punching is not as precise or efficient as CNC digital cutting.
Waterjet Cutting is a specialist manufacturing process used for cutting densers, harder or thicker rubber materials that cannot be easily cut with accuracy through the standard CNC cutting process. It utilises a high-pressure jet of water mixed with abrasive particles to precisely cut through the rubber material. Waterjet cutting offers the advantage of being able to handle more challenging materials but is typically reserved for specific applications where other cutting methods are not suitable due to the increased costs of using a waterjet machine.
In rubber washer manufacturing, CNC digital cutting stands out as a preferred technique due to its cost-effectiveness, reduced lead times and accuracy in production. However, hydraulic punching and waterjet cutting can be utilised when specific project requirements call for their unique capabilities.
Measuring rubber washers accurately is essential to ensure the right fit and proper functionality in your applications. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to measure your rubber washers:
When choosing the right material for your rubber washers, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your applications. Each material offers unique characteristics, strengths and limitations. Now we will explore the rubber materials most commonly used for rubber washer manufacturing, along with their benefits and suitable applications:
Neoprene is a versatile material, offering a cost-effective rubber washer solution that still holds important weathering, ozone and moderate chemical resistance. The material is one of our most popular rubbers used for washer manufacturing and also offers good physical properties including flexibility, durability and outstanding abrasion resistance.
Neoprene rubber washers are commonly used in plumbing fixtures, electrical equipment and machinery where the materials benefits such as resistance to oil, moderate temperature variations and good compression set means they can provide a tight and reliable seal for almost any general purpose rubber washer application.
Nitrile, or NBR offers exceptional oil resistance, good physical properties and resistance to an expansive range of chemicals. Nitrile rubber washers are highly valued for their ability to resist almost any oil, fuel, solvent or hydraulic fluid, making them suitable for sealing applications in the automotive, oil and gas or industrial sectors.
Nitrile rubber washers also hold excellent abrasion resistance, anti-vibration properties and the ability to resist extreme temperatures. We recommend using nitrile rubber washers for any applications where risk of corrosion from fuels or harsh fluids is possible. To learn more about Nitrile rubber, its properties, applications and benefits check out our recent comprehensive blog post on the elastomer.
EPDM is renowned for its exceptional weathering, water, and ozone resistance. EPDM rubber also offers electrical insulation properties and the ability to retain its flexibility even at high or low temperatures, making EPDM rubber washers suitable for outdoor applications in roofing, plumbing or electrical enclosures.
EPDM rubber washers offer highly reliable sealing against moisture, weather and exposure from UV radiation. They exhibit good chemical resistance, electrical insulation properties and long-lasting performance in outdoor environments. We almost always recommend EPDM rubber for rubber washers destined for usage outside.
Butyl rubber is known for its low gas permeability, making it an excellent choice for rubber washers used in air retention applications. The material also holds exceptional resistance to weathering, ozone, chemicals, gas and moisture and commonly used for sealing applications against air, nitrogen and other gases.
Butyl rubber washers provide reliable sealing, vibration dampening and air retention properties, meaning they find a place in a range of professional industries including the automotive sector, construction and manufacturing where their long list of benefits are crucial.
Silicone rubber is one of the most versatile elastomers on the market, boasting a wide operating temperature range, excellent flexibility and resistance to chemicals, UV radiation and ozone. Silicone rubber holds the ability to perform well within almost any harsh environment and therefore silicone rubber washers are called upon for many projects.
Some of the most common applications of Silicone rubber washers include electrical insulation, food processing equipment and for medical seals where the materials high-temperature resistance, electrical insulation and hygienic properties are required. We recently released an informative blog post covering the properties, applications and benefits of Silicone rubber, click here to learn more about the material.
Viton rubber is a world renowned high-performance material used for rubber washer manufacturing due to its exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals and fluids. Additionally Viton rubber offers a low compression set, high tensile strength and good abrasion resistance, making it suitable for demanding industry applications.
Viton rubber washers are valued for applications requiring resistance to aggressive fuels, oils, solvents, acids or high temperatures, where the elastomer outperforms other materials. Viton is commonly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive and the chemical industry due to its unique properties and benefits, offering durability and longevity of life no matter the application. For everything you need to know about Viton rubber including its properties, applications, benefits and a comparison against other rubbers, check out our recent blog post on the material.
Now you’ve learnt what rubber washers are, the types of rubber washers available, manufacturing techniques and common materials used for rubber washer manufacturing, its time to order rubber washers for your project.
If you are using rubber washers for general purpose applications, we suggest opting for our cost-effective Neoprene rubber washers. Manufactured from a high-quality black 70° shore A Neoprene rubber and available in a range of sizes including M4, M5, M6, M8, M10, M12, M16 and M20 and variations in thickness and outside diameters to suit almost any project. You can purchase neoprene rubber washers in quantities from 25 to units by clicking here, available with next working day delivery and always highly competitive prices.
For rubber gaskets manufactured from any other material such as Nitrile, EPDM, Butyl, Silicone or Viton rubber, why not take advantage of our online washer builder? You can design, develop and securely purchase bespoke rubber washers in 4 simple steps. Head to our sister company Gaskets Direct, select ‘circular gasket/washer’ from our pre existing templates, fill out the customisable options including outside diameter and internal diameter, choose your rubber washer material, thickness and quantity required before receiving a quotation straight to your inbox with a link to buy securely online.
Alternatively, feel free to contact us to receive a rubber washer quotation today. Simply provide us with your rubber washer dimensions, material and quantity required and we will endeavour to provide a cost-effective quotation in response. For large volume orders or continued supply, we offer generous wholesale discount rates and strive to build long term partnerships with our clients.
Stopping leaks is one of the most common applications of rubber washers, the water resistance properties of rubber means they are often used for this purpose.
Washers manufactured from rubber are always waterproof and the go-to choice for leak prevention.
Rubber washers help to prevent leaks, protect surfaces or even dampen vibration for many different applications within various industries.
Although they share similarities, rubber washers tend to be circular components with a hole in the middle. Whereas rubber gaskets come in many different shapes and sizes.
Rubber is softer and more flexible than Nylon, this means that it will conform to surfaces better and provide a more reliable seal. We would recommend rubber washers over nylon for most projects.
The choice between silicone washers and standard rubber washers depends solely upon the application. If your washers are going to be used with extreme high or low temperatures or around food processing equipment, we suggest opting for silicone washers. For most other applications, rubber washers will be sufficient.
Are you looking to keep your machinery free from any unwanted leakages but aren’t sure which rotary shaft seal is right for your needs? This guide will provide you with everything you need to know in order to select the right one for your application.
Oil seals, which are also known as rotary shaft seals, fluid seals or grease seals, play an important role in closing down the gaps between moving and stationary elements of mechanical equipment.
By preventing lubricants from escaping, they protect key components of machinery from being damaged by leaks of various fluids. Everything from car engines to assembly machines use these oil seals to remain free from any harmful interactions that can cause serious and expensive damage to any of their critical parts.
There are a wide range of oil seals to select from for any number of uses, so this guide will break down the most common seals to help you choose the right one for whatever piece of machinery you are working on.
What are rotary shaft seals?
Rotary shaft or oil seals are placed between moving and stationary pieces of machinery to ensure that contaminants, moisture, corrosive materials and abrasives do not damage the various components. They can also prevent unwanted mixing of fluids, including water and oil combining within a machine.
How are Oil Seals made?
First, an elastomer, most often nitrile, is vulcanised to a metal ring. This creates a stiffening effect that includes a specialised metal tension spring directly behind the sealing lip, keeping the oil seal firmly in place against the moving part.
Oil Seal Materials
There are many different materials used to manufacture oil seals.
Leather Oil Seals – Leather Seals, also known as Type L Oil Seals, are most common in components that are subject to dirt and poor lubrication. Since they come pre-lubricated and are able to absorb fluids, leather oil seals are able to provide sealing properties in conditions that synthetic rubber is unable to.
Synthetic Rubber Oil Seals – Styrene Butadiene Rubber oil seals, or just SBR oil seals, offer strong resistance to abrasions and lesions, making them an ideal seal for fast-moving machinery. With the ability to withstand extreme temperatures with its heat-aging qualities, they can be used in outdoor components. They are also seen as more cost-effective oil seals than natural rubber.
Nitrile Oil Seals – Nitrile oil seals, which is the commonly used term for acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber seals, is a very good general-purpose option due to the flexibility of use across a variety of components. The resistance is strong against fats, hot water, gasoline, mineral oils, grease and animal oils, making them the most often-used oil seals. They do not have a wide temperature range, making them a poor choice for machinery that can see extreme changes in temperature.
Viton Oil Seals – A synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer, Viton is used to make oil seals that provide resistance in both high temperature, up to 250°C and low compression set components. They also offer a high resistance to chemicals and abrasions, so they can be used in elements that regularly interact with petroleum and solvents.
Want more information on Washing Machine Oil Seals? Feel free to contact us.
Polyacrylate Oil Seals – Mostly selected for automotive and transmission uses, polyacrylate seals are able to withstand fuel, oil, ozone, sunlight and weather when used. With cars exposed to all these different fluids and elements, they are the perfect choice. However, they should not be used in low temperatures, as their flexibility weakens when cold.
silicone oil Seals – Designed to absorb lubricants in order to lessen wear and friction, silicone rotary shafts also offer high thermal resistance and a large temperature range. But, they do not handle abrasions well or interact with oxidized oils.
PTFE Oil Seals – A relatively new and exciting oil seal, the use of polytetrafluoroethylene means that they can withstand dry or unlubricated operations. With a massive thermal range of -130ºC to +200ºC and a strong resistance to chemicals, they are considered to be the future of rotary shaft seals.
How to Choose the Right Oil Seal
There are several key factors to consider when you are selecting the oil seals for your next project to ensure that you protect your machinery from immediate and long-term damage.
Pressure – Many oil seals can only withstand low-pressure applications, so understanding the compression set of your components is key.
Temperature – Just like pressure, the temperature that your oil seal will be operating in must be known so that you can choose one that can withstand the heat or cold. PTFE have the widest range of temperature, making them useful for machines who can see usage in extreme weather or elements.
Shaft Speed – Considering the speed that the shaft will be moving, the runout, the housing bore and the type of oil being sealed is vital to making sure you select an oil seal that will not suffer from abrasions or spiralling.
Fluid Types – Various oil seals are able to withstand interactions with oils, fuels, grease, water and more. Knowing what type of fluid the rotary shaft seal will be in constant contact with will ensure the longevity of the seal and surrounding components.
Lubricant Amount – Seals will always perform best when lubricated, however in some machines there are more likely to be dry spells. For these cases, selecting a leather or PTFE seal will be beneficial, as both can operate with less lubrication than others.
can be difficult to get right, especially if you do not have the original machine specifications. Thankfully, there are a few ways to identify oil seals; from their design, size and material. As there are hundreds of different oil seals available on the market, this guide will cover the four most common design types. Typically available with either a single or double lip, in Nitrile or Viton Rubber Material.
Firstly, the oil seals covered in this guide classify the single lip as the inner diameter at the bottom of the component. The single lip is vital to the function of the seal by containing the oil, grease or lubricant. The only difference between a single and double lip is the additional rubber lip on the top of the oil seal which helps prevent dust or dirt from coming close to the shaft. Identifying the oil seal lip can be misinterpreted with a visual inspection alone. For or this reason, you should press along the inner diameter at the top of the seal, if you feel a ridge with a slight movement or give it is highly likely you have a double-lipped oil seal.
Industry retailers use unique codes to identify oil seals worldwide. The most common lip style designations are 21 (single lip) and 23 (double lip), please read our Oil Seal Cross Reference Guide for more detailed information.
Fully covered outer diameter for excellent sealing. This oil seal is fully enclosed in a rubber material and is the most widely used type of oil seal. Great resistance to thermal cycling, temperatures and different chemical resistance.
Economic metal outer diameter for standard applications. This is an economical oil seal where the metal is exposed on one side and offers a closer fitting between the oil seal and housing or bore. Due to this, it has limited use with sealing thin liquids or gases.
The same design as type B with an additional inner case for greater structural rigidity. This type of oil seal is typically used in heavy-duty engineering machinery or large diameter sized seals
The same design as type A with corrosion protected metal case and stainless-steel garter spring. Suitable for use with a wide range of fuels and chemicals.
Nitrile or NBR is black in color, whereas, Viton or FKM is usually a brownish color. To understand the main comparisons between the two compounds read our Nitrile vs. Viton article.
Available in a range of sizes, single lip seals are suitable for most applications.
Dual lip seals are typically used for difficult sealing applications requiring the separation of two fluids.
The chart below shows different design considerations for single and dual lip seals. To view our cross-reference chart, download the Oil Seals Brochure.
What is Oil Seal | Purpose , Types of Oil Seal , Advantages
OIL SEAL
Oil seals, also known as shaft seals, are radial lip type seals which are primarily used for retaining lubricants in equipment having rotating, reciprocating or oscillating shafts. The rotating shaft application is most common.
An oil seal normally consists of three basic components: the sealing element, the metal case and the spring. The purpose of the sealing element is to stop the fluid from leaking between the shaft and housing. The metal case will give rigidity and strength to the seal while it is being held in the bore or recessed groove. The garter spring ensures constant pressure and maintains the radial force to the shaft, flattening the sealing edge to a defined width. The garter spring maintains the radial force exerted by the sealing lip around the shaft surface. All materials must be selected depending on the environment in which the oil seal will function.
The performance of these seals depends to a large extent on a suitable unit load being maintained at the seal-shaft interface. These seals withstand a pressure of 15PSI and their working depends on parameters like shaft diameter, shaft speed, working temperature, service conditions, etc
Oil seals or shaft seals are an integral part in any rotating and moving part assembly. Oil seals find great deal of usage in gearboxes, hydraulic cylinders, etc. The usage of the seals in areas concerned with motion also earns them a name of “Dynamic Oil Seals.”
The purpose of the oil seals is
To act as a physical barrier retaining the lubricating oil where it is bound to be.
To prevent thelubricating oil from leaking outside even under high pressure of the oil.
To act as a barrier and prevent dirt, contamination and other external entities from entering the system containing the lubricating oil.
Constructional Aspects of an Oil Seal:
1. The oil seal consists of a metal ring as the inner skeleton which provides the structural stability to the oil seal.
2. The outer skin is made of nitrile rubber and various other materials which are used based on the requirement.
3. The spring on the lip of the oil seal tends to provide support to the lip and prevents the lubricant from leaking outside and also prevents the entry of contaminants from outside.
TYPES OF OIL SEAL
Double Lip Oil Seals
In this an auxiliary lip is provided along with the regular sealing lip. The additional dust lip protects the main sealing lip against dust and other fine solid contaminants and therefore this type is recommended for use in polluted environments. To achieve a long lifetime a suitable lubricant between the two sealing lips should be applied.
Advantages:
– Good static sealing
– Compensation of different thermal expansion
– Reduced risk of fretting corrosion
– Effective protection against air side contaminants
– Higher bore surface roughness is allowed
– Installation in split-housings
– Modern lip design provides low radial forces
Duplex Oil Seals
Sometimes, two different kinds of fluids leak from one chamber to another and gets mixed up. Here, this type comes as a boon. This is a metal inserted duplex type oil seal recommended on such assembly where mix-up of two different fluids is to be prevented.
Oil Seals without Spring
This type of oil seal can withstand only low speed and friction. It is recommended in places where thick fluid or grease is to be sealed. This is not recommended for difficult applications.
Material:
Oil seals are made out of nitrile synthetic rubber with steel stiffener rings. Other rubbers such as viton, silicon, neoprene or poly acrylic can be used for specific applications. The stiffener rings may be stainless steel or brass where highly corrosive fluids are to be sealed. Springs are generally made of spring steel to IS: :Gr.ll or from stainless steel or bronze for corrosion resistance
Type A Oil Seals
Sealing of lip type seal is normally a result of an interference fit between the flexible sealing element, usually augmented by spring pressure and a shaft. Fluid retention is based on the precise amount of lip contact pressure. In most lip seals, increased fluid pressure in the sealed area causes lip contact pressure on the shaft to increase.
Advantages:
– Good static sealing
– Compensation of different thermal expansion
– Reduced risk of fretting corrosion
– Higher bore surface roughness is allowed
– Installation in split-housings
– Modern lip design provides low radial forces
Type B Oil seals
This is almost similar to that of ‘A’ type seal. But this has the metal case placed outside. When the housing is rough, temperature is high and working conditions are severe, this type is preferred.
Type C Oil seal
Type ‘C’ oil seal has an additional cup inserted into the outer cup of ‘B’ type. The supplementary metal inner ring provides a superior stiffness. This type is recommended for use in heavy polluted environments. As the static sealing between housing and metallic shell is limited, low viscosity media can “creep”.
Advantages:
– Very good fitting stability avoiding pop-out of the seal
– Modern lip design provides low radial forces
– Superior radial stiffness, especially for very large diameters
– Cost effective for expensive elastomer materials
– Suitable for use in combination with axial seal
Material used for Oil Seal :
Based on the application of the oil seal, the outer skin layer tends to differ. Here are some types of the materials used for the outer skin of the oil seal.
1. Nitrile rubber – The commonly used material for oil seals
2. Silicone – Used in specific applications where only light loads are applied.
3. Poly acrylate
4. Fluroelastomer also popularly known as Viton. – The high temperature resistant material used in places where temperature is more than 120 Degree Celcius.
5. PolytetraFluroEthylene (PTFE)
The oils seals require certain prerequisites to be maintained for their proper working. They are as follows:
a) The shaft on which the oil seal is to be mounted should be ground with the surface finish or surface roughness between 0.2 to 0.8 Microns. It is best for the shaft to be hardened atleast to 40 – 45 HRc in order to prevent groove formation on the shaft due to the pressure exerted by the spring.
b) The area where the oil seal is seated is to be plunge ground in order to prevent wear grooves that normally tend to wear out the lip of the oil seal at a faster rate.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Custom Oil Seal.