Seal failure analysis; we solve o-ring, sealing problems.

A seal failure can cost customer time and money as well as possibly endangering personnel. The analysis of premature or unexpected seal failure includes many factors, including the environment, the seal design and the elastomer itself. The appearance of the seal can provide significant insight into potential causes of failure.

Seal Failure

In the semiconductor industry, the failure of a single seal can result in millions of dollars in damaged production, downtime and maintenance costs. In many environments, a seal failure can result in the complete evacuation of a facility-or worse, the exposure of personnel to toxic chemicals.

Prevention of seal failures through proper design, material selection and maintenance certainly minimizes the risk of failure. Attention to the condition of replaced seals, as well as the equipment performance over time, will result in improved process reliability, reduced operating costs and a safer work environment.

O-ring seals often fail prematurely in applications because of improper design or compound selection. This section is designed to provide the viewer with examples of common failure modes. By correctly identifying the failure mode, changes in the design or seal material can lead to improved seal performance.

From the end-user's point of view, a seal can fail in three (3) general ways:

Leaking
Contamination
Change in Appearance

It is useful to analyze the envionment, seal design and elastomer when there is a seal failure.

Topics:

Environment Analysis

Seal Design Analysis

Elastomer Analysis

General Factors: Leaking, Contamination and Appearance Change

Seal Failure Part 1: Extrusion, Over-Compression and Spiral Failure

Seal Failure Part 2: Chemical Degradation, Thermal Degradation and Explosive Decompression

Seal Failure Part 3: Plasma Degradation, Contamination and Abrasion

Seal Failure Part 4: Compression Set, Outgassing/Extraction and Installation Damage

Seal Failure Analysis