O-Ring Cord: Custom Profiles & Uses
O-ring cord is a versatile sealing material that can be cut to any length and joined to form custom-sized O-rings. This flexibility makes O-ring cord an essential solution for applications where standard O-ring sizes may not be available or practical. In addition to traditional round profiles, O-ring cord is also available in X-ring and square ring profiles for specialized sealing needs. This guide covers the features, common applications, pros and cons of O-ring cord, with a dedicated section on X-ring and square ring cord.
CanRez® FFKM and Kalrez® O-ring cord, O-rings, gasket rapid manufacturing, & custom molded parts are available now!
Check with one of Canyon’s helpful product engineers for an expert material and manufacturing recommendation.
Features of O-Ring Cord
O-ring cord offers several key features that make it ideal for creating custom seals:
- Custom Lengths: O-ring cord can be cut to any length, allowing for the creation of O-rings of various sizes without the need for special molds or tooling.
- Material Versatility: O-ring cord is available in a wide range of materials, including Nitrile, EPDM, Silicone, Viton, and more, allowing for selection based on specific chemical, temperature, and environmental requirements.
- Ease of Installation: O-ring cord can be easily cut and joined using adhesive or vulcanization, making it a convenient solution for on-site repairs and custom applications.
- Flexibility: The flexibility of O-ring cord allows it to conform to irregular surfaces and provide a reliable seal in both static and dynamic applications.
- Durability: Designed to withstand harsh conditions, O-ring cord offers long-lasting performance in demanding environments.
Common Applications of O-Ring Cord
O-ring cord is used in a wide range of industries where custom seals are required for sealing, cushioning, and protection. Common applications include:
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems: O-ring cord is used to create custom seals for hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, valves, and pumps, ensuring reliable performance in high-pressure environments.
- Industrial Equipment: In industrial machinery, O-ring cord is used to seal joints, connections, and flanges, preventing leaks and maintaining system efficiency.
- Automotive: O-ring cord is used to create custom seals for engines, transmissions, and exhaust systems, where standard O-rings may not provide the exact fit required.
- Plumbing: In plumbing systems, O-ring cord is used to create seals for pipes, fittings, and fixtures, preventing leaks and ensuring water-tightness.
- Food and Beverage Processing: O-ring cord made from food-grade materials is used to create seals in food and beverage processing equipment, ensuring safety and hygiene.
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
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O-Ring Cord Materials
CanRez™ FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Extreme temperatures & chemicals require extreme solutions! CanRez™ FFKM O-ring cord offers extreme reliability where you need it most! Thousands of sizes in stock now!
CanGuard™ RFI & EMI Shielding Materials
CanGuard™ O-ring cord materials have been developed to offer superior sealing solutions with enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding.
Kalrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Canyon Components offers Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
Parker® O-ring cord, O-rings, Parofluor parts, parker FKM Viton
Canyon Components offers Parker Hannifin® O-ring cord, O-rings, Gaskets, Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) parts, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
FKM (Viton®, Fluorocarbon)
FKM O-ring cord, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts exhibit excellent mechanical attributes as well as excellent resistance to high temperatures, mineral oil, ozone, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and many other solvents and chemicals.
Aflas® (TFE/P)
TFE/P (Aflas) O-ring cord, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts gives high resistance to steam, hot water, atmospheric wear, and many chemicals. TFE/P compounds provide superior performance in water, steam and virtually all caustic chemicals.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
The mechanical and physical properties of Fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very similar to silicone. Fluorosilicone O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer improved flexibility and strength, better resistance to fuels and mineral oil, but reduced hot air resistance.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Silicone O-ring cord, seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are excellent for extreme temperatures in static applications. Canyon Components carries a range of silicone materials, and we are happy to custom tailor a seal to meet your application requirements!
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM O-ring cord, materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts can operate over a wide temperature range, and are compatible with glycol fluids that cause problems for most typical elastomeric seals.
NBR (Nitrile, Buna-N)
Nitrile O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very oil-resistant, have strong mechanical properties, are resistant to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. These properties make Nitrile the most commonly used general purpose O-ring, gasket, & custom molded part material.
HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile)
Hydrogenated Nitrile O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer higher strength and reduced degradation at high temperatures compared to conventional Nitrile materials. These properties make HNBR materials popular in the oil and gas industry, as well as many applications in the chemical industry.
XNBR (Carboxylated Nitrile)
XNBR O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are similar to Nitrile, but the backbone has been chemically modified with a Carboxylic Acid group. The resulting elastomer is a Nitrile rubber with outstanding abrasion and chemical resistance, superior to that of traditional Nitrile.
Neoprene (CR)
Chloroprene was the first synthetic rubber, and was developed commercially under the name Neoprene®. Chloroprene O-ring cord, rubbers, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts contain Chlorine in the polymer to reduce the reactivity to many oxidizing agents, as well as to oil and flame.
Polyurethane (PU, AU)
Polyurethane O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts generally have two or three times greater tensile strength and wear resistance than Nitrile and comparable polymers. Polyurethane also provides excellent permeation resistance when compared to most rubbers.
PTFE (Teflon)
The harshest environments require specialized solutions. Often times, a Canyon Components PTFE O-ring cord is used in harsh chemical environments. Polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as PTFE or Teflon®, is a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its exceptional chemical resistance, low friction, and non-stick properties.
Product Types
Infinite "Giant" Diameter O-Rings
By either Continuous Molding O-rings, or Splice & Vulcanizing O-rings, Canyon can provide mold-less, infinitely large O-rings at competitive prices!
Custom Parts
Here at Canyon Components, we make sure to offer our customers any manufacturing technique they desire. Whether your O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts be rubber, plastic, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it!
Gaskets & Custom Cutting
Whether your custom cut parts be rubber, plastic, sponge, composite, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it! Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. If you need something that isn't listed, feel free to contact a Canyon Components product and application consultant.
Specialty Compliances
Canyon have materials available for O-ring cord, O-rings, gaskets, & custom parts with compliances ranging from USP Class VI <87> & <88> for medical applications, to FDA CFR 21.177.2600 grades A through F for different food types, to the various drinking water specifications like KTW and NSF. Whether it's metal, rubber, or plastic, Canyon can meet your needs!
X-Ring and Square Ring Cord
In addition to traditional O-ring cord, specialized profiles such as X-ring and square ring cord are available for specific sealing needs:
- X-Ring Cord: X-ring cord features a four-lobed design that provides two sealing surfaces, offering improved sealing performance compared to standard O-rings. This design reduces friction and wear, making X-ring cord ideal for dynamic applications where standard O-rings may fail due to twisting or rolling.
- Square Ring Cord: Square ring cord features a square cross-section that provides a larger sealing surface compared to traditional round O-rings. This design offers improved sealing stability and resistance to extrusion, making square ring cord suitable for high-pressure and static applications.
These specialized cords provide additional options for creating custom seals in applications where standard O-rings may not be sufficient.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Cord Pros & Cons
O-ring cord is a versatile and cost-effective solution for creating custom seals in a wide range of industries. Its flexibility, material options, and ease of installation make it ideal for applications where standard O-rings may not provide the desired fit or performance. Specialized profiles such as X-ring and square ring cord offer additional options for improving sealing performance in specific applications. However, potential limitations such as joining complexity and precision should be considered when selecting O-ring cord for your sealing needs. Understanding the features, applications, and potential drawbacks of O-ring cord will help you make informed decisions to ensure optimal performance in your systems.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Pros of O-Ring Cord
O-ring cord offers several advantages that make it a preferred choice for custom sealing applications:
- Customizability: O-ring cord can be cut and joined to create seals of any size, providing a flexible solution for non-standard applications.
- Material Options: With a wide range of materials available, O-ring cord can be tailored to meet the chemical, temperature, and environmental demands of different applications.
- Cost-Effective: O-ring cord offers a cost-effective solution for creating custom seals without the need for expensive molds or tooling.
- On-Site Repairs: O-ring cord can be easily cut and joined on-site, making it a convenient solution for emergency repairs and maintenance.
- Versatility: O-ring cord can be used in a variety of applications, from hydraulic systems to food processing equipment, providing reliable sealing in diverse environments.
Cons of O-Ring Cord
While O-ring cord offers many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Joining Complexity: Joining O-ring cord to create a continuous seal may require specialized adhesives or vulcanization techniques, which can add complexity to the installation process.
- Potential for Weak Joints: If not properly joined, the connection point between sections of O-ring cord may be weaker than a molded O-ring, potentially leading to leaks or failure under high pressure.
- Limited Precision: Cutting O-ring cord by hand may result in less precise seals, especially for complex shapes or tight tolerances. Advanced cutting methods may be required for higher precision.
- Material Waste: Depending on the application, there may be some material waste when cutting and joining O-ring cord, which could increase costs.
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