Glossary of Rubber and Sealing Terms
A
abrasion: the surface loss of a material due to frictional forces.
acid resistance: the ability to resist the action of identified acids within specified limits of concentration and temperature.
age resistance: the ability of a material to resist deterioration caused by aging.
aging: the irreversible change of material properties during exposure to a deteriorating environment, for a specified time interval.
ambient temperature: the environment temperature surrounding the object under consideration.
atmospheric cracking: cracks produced in surface of rubber articles by exposure to atmospheric conditions, usually due to sunlight and/or ozone.
axial seal: a term usually applied to an O-Ring where the squeeze is applied on the top and bottom surfaces. Another term for face seal.
B
back-up ring: a device made of rubber, PTFE, leather, or another substance that will add strength or support when installed next to a seal. Most commonly used as an anti-extrusion device.
batch: the product of one mixing operation.
bleeding: the exuding of a liquid compounding material from the surface of vulcanized or unvulcanized rubber.
Buna N: a general term for the copolymers of butadiene and acrylonitrile.
butt joint: joining two ends of material whereby the junction is perpendicular to the ID of an O-Ring.
Butyl: a synthetic rubber of the polybutene type exhibiting very low permeability to gasses.
C
checking: the short, shallow cracks on the surface of a rubber product, usually resulting from damaging action by environmental elements.
coated fabric: a flexible product composed of a textile fabric and an adherent polymeric material applied to one or both surfaces.
compound: a term applied to a mixture of polymers and other ingredients to produce a usable rubber material.
compound, standard: a control or reference compound prepared according to a prescribed formula and mixing procedure.
conductive rubber: a rubber capable of conducting (generally static) electricity.
copolymer: a polymer formed from two different monomers.
crack: a fissure originating in the surface of a rubber product as a result of natural weathering.
crack, flex: a fissure originating in the surface of a rubber vulcanizate, resulting from cyclic deformation (usually bending).
crack, ozone: fissures originating in the surface of a rubber vulcanizate, caused by exposure to an ozone-containing environment; these fissures are perpendicular to the direction of strain, and usually occur in rubbers having main chain unsaturation.
crazing: formation of a random pattern of shallow cracks on a rubber surface usually due to aging by light. Unlike ozone cracking, crazing does not depend on the presence of a tensile strain in the rubber.
cross section: an O-Ring as viewed if cut at right angles to the axis showing internal structure.
cure date: the date a rubber product was molded. Normally expressed, for example, as 1Q04, meaning the first quarter of the year 2004.
cylinder: chamber in which piston, plunger, ram, rod or shaft is driven by or against the pressure medium.
D
durometer: an instrument for measuring the indentation hardness of rubber.
dusting: the application of a powder to a rubber surface, generally to prevent adhesion to another surface.
dynamic properties: mechanical properties exhibited under repeated cyclic deformation.
dynamic seal: a seal which is subjected to reciprocating, rotational, or oscillating motion.
E
elasticity: the rapid recovery of a material to its approximate initial shape and dimensions after substantial deformation by force and subsequent release of that force.
elastomer: an elastic polymer.
elongation: extension produced by a tensile stress.
elongation, percent: the extension of a uniform section of a specimen expressed as percent of the original length.
elongation, ultimate: the elongation at the time of rupture.
explosive decompression: the rupture of a rubber article caused by the rapid reversal of pressure, causing dissolved gasses in the rubber to escape quickly to the surface of the vulcanizate.
extender: a material (usually organic) used to augment the polymer in a compound.
extrusion: the continuous shaping of a material during passage through a die.
extrusion (seal): distortion, under pressure, of a portion of a seal into the clearance between mating metal parts.
F
face seal: a seal between two flat surfaces. In an O-Ring, this means it seals on the top and bottom, not the ID and OD. Also referred to as an axial seal.
fatigue breakdown: the deterioration of an elastomeric product during repeated deformation.
fatigue life: the number of deformations required to produce a specified state of fatigue breakdown in a test specimen or product that is deformed under a prescribed set of conditions.
filler: a solid compounding material, usually in finely divided form, which may be added in relatively large proportions to a polymer for technical or economic reasons. The most commonly used filler is carbon black. Most fillers also function as reinforcing agents.
flex life: the number of cycles required to produce a specified state of failure in a specimen that is flexed in a prescribed method.
formula: a list of the materials and their amounts used in the preparation of a compound. Also called a recipe.
friction: resistance to motion due to the contact of surfaces.
frosting: the formation of a matte, whitish appearance on a rubber surface exposed to air, resulting from the action of ozone. Often confused with bloom.
G
gland: a seal assembly which includes an O-Ring, the groove which holds the O-Ring, and contacting surfaces.
groove: the machined recess into which a seal is fitted.
H
hardness: a physical property of a rubber vulcanizate, characterized by resistance to indentation.
hardness, Shore A: durometer reading in degrees of hardness of the rubber. (Shore A hardness of 35 is soft; 90 is hard.)
homogeneous: general-a term of uniform composition throughout.
Hypalon: commercial name for chlorosulphonated derivative of polyethylene.
I
impact resistance: resistance to fracture under shock force.
impact strength: a measure of the toughness of the material, as the energy required break a specimen with a single blow.
inhibitor: a material used to suppress a chemical reaction.
K
L
logy: sluggish, low snap or recovery of a material
M
masterbatch: a homogeneous mixture of rubber and one or more materials in known proportions for use as a raw material in the preparation of the final compounds. Masterbatches are used to facilitate processing or enhance the properties of the final product, or both.
mastication: the breakdown or softening of raw rubber by the combined action of mechanical work (shear), and atmospheric oxygen, sometimes accelerated by the use of a peptizer, and frequently at elevated temperatures.
memory: the tendency of a rubber material to return to its original shape after deformation.
mixer: a machine that incorporates and disperses compounding ingredients into rubber to form a mix or a compound through the action of mechanical work (shear).
mixer, internal: a machine with a closed chamber in which specially shaped rotors masticate the rubber or incorporate and disperse compounding materials, or both, into the rubber.
monomer: a low molecular weight substance consisting of molecules capable of reacting with like or unlike molecules to form a polymer.
N
nominal length: the desired length from which tolerances are set.
O
oil resistant: ability of a vulcanized rubber to resist the swelling and deteriorating effects of various type oils.
O-Ring: an elastomeric seal of homogeneous composition molded in one piece to the configuration of a torus with circular cross-section (doughnut). The O-Ring is used as a dynamic or static seal usually installed in a machined groove.
oxidation: the reaction between oxygen and a rubber vulcanizate, usually detected by a change in the appearance or feel of the surface, or by a detrimental change in physical properties.
oxygen bomb: a pressure-resistant apparatus, used in an aging test, in which rubber is deteriorated in hot, compressed oxygen.
ozone resistant: withstands the deteriorating effects of ozone (generally cracking).
P
packing (mechanical): a deformable material used to prevent or control the passage of matter between surfaces that move in relation to each other.
permeability: the permeation rate divided by the pressure gradient of the gas or vapor.
pigment: an insoluble compounding material used to impart color to rubber.
plasticity: a characteristic of unvulcanized rubber indicated by the degree of retention of deformation after removal of the deforming force.
polymer: a substance consisting of molecules characterized by the repetition of one or more types of monomeric units.
R
rebound test: the method of determining the resilient properties of vulcanized rubber by measuring the rebound of a steel ball or pendulum from a defined height onto a rubber sample.
recipe: a formula, mixing procedure, and any other instructions needed for the preparation of a rubber compound.
reclaimed rubber: vulcanized rubber that has been thermally, mechanically, and/or chemically plasticized for use as a rubber diluent, extender, or processing aid.
resilience: capable of returning to original size and shape after deformation.
recovery: the degree to which a rubber product returns to its normal dimensions after being distorted.
RMS: root mean square. A measure of surface roughness, calculated as the square root of the sum of the squares of micro-inch deviation from true flat.
rubber: a material that is capable of recovering from large deformations quickly and forcibly, and can be, or already is, modified to a state in which it is essentially insoluble.
rubber, bound: the portion of the rubber in a mix that is so closely associated with the filler as to be unextractable by the usual rubber solvents.
rubber, cellular, closed cell: a cellular material in which practically all the individual cells are non-connecting.
rubber, expanded: cellular rubber having closed cells made from a solid rubber compound.
rubber hardness degree, international: a measure of hardness, the magnitude of which is derived from the depth of penetration of a specified indenter into a specimen. Commonly referred to as IRHD.
rubber, Nitrile (Buna N): Copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile, known commercially as Butaprene, Chemigum, Hycar OR, Perbuna and Paracril.
rubber, oil-extended: a grade of raw rubber containing a relatively high proportion of processing oil.
rubber, raw: natural or synthetic elastomer, usually in bales or packages, that is the starting material for the manufacture of rubber articles.
rubber, silicone: semi-organic elastomer, containing silicone.
rubber, sponge: cellular rubber consisting predominantly of open cells and made from a dry rubber compound.
S
seal (mechanical): any material or device that prevents or controls the passage of matter across the separable members of a mechanical assembly.
service: operating conditions to be met.
shaft: rotating member within cylinder; not in contact with walls.
shelf life: the period of time after production during which a material or product, that is stored under specified conditions, retains its intended performance capabilities.
shock load: the sudden application of an external force.
shrinkage: the linear contraction, upon cooling, of a molded rubber part.
size, actual: the actual dimensions of an O-Ring, including tolerance limits.
size, nominal: the approximate size of an O-Ring expressed in fractional dimensions.
skin: a relatively dense layer at the surface of a cellular polymeric material.
softener: a compounding material used to produce a mix of reduced viscosity, which facilitates incorporation of rubber additives.
spiral failure: seal failure in reciprocating applications, that results from a twisting action that strains or ruptures the rubber.
splice: the uniting of two parts of a vulcanized rubber product to form a continuous length.
squeeze: the deformation or interference placed on a rubber component to affect a seal.
stabilizer: a substance present in or added to raw rubber to maintain properties at or near their initial values during its production, processing, and storage.
static seal: part designed to seal between parts having no relative motion. Opposite of a dynamic seal.
stiffness, bending: the force required to produce a bent configuration under specified conditions.
strainer: a machine designed to force a rubber or rubber mix through a sieve to remove extraneous material.
stock: unvulcanized, mixed rubber compound of a definite composition.
stress: force per unit of original cross-sectional are required to stretch a specimen to a stated elongation.
sun checking: surface cracks or crazing caused by exposure to direct or indirect sunlight.
swelling: the increase in volume of a specimen immersed in a liquid or exposed to a vapor.
T
tack, rubber: the property that causes contacting surfaces of unvulcanized rubber to adhere to each other.
tear: mechanical rupture initiated and propagated at a site of high-stress concentration caused by a cut, defect, or localized deformation.
tear strength: the maximum force required to tear a specified test specimen, the force acting substantially parallel to the major axis of the specimen.
temperature range: lowest temperature at which rubber remains flexible and highest temperature at which it will function.
tensile set: the extension remaining after a specimen has been stretched then allowed to retract in a specified manner. Expressed as a percentage of the original length.
tensile strength: force in pounds per square inch (or kilograms per square centimeter) required to cause the rupture of a specimen of a rubber material.
tensile stress: a stress applied to stretch a test specimen.
terpolymer: a polymer consisting of three different monomers chemically combined.
thermal carbon black: a soft carbon black formed by the repeated tensile deformation.
tension set: the extension remaining after a rubber specimen has been stretched and allowed to retract thermal decomposition of natural gas.
thermal degradation: irreversible and undesirable change in the properties of a material due to exposure to heat.
thermoplastic: a polymer that repeatedly can be softened by heating and hardened by cooling through a temperature range characteristic of the polymer, and in the softened state, can be shaped into articles.
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE): a diverse family of rubber-like materials that, unlike conventional vulcanized rubbers, can be processed and recycled like thermoplastic materials. Often referred to as TPR (thermoplastic rubber).
torque: the turning power of a shaft.
U
U-cups or U-Seals: U-cups are a lip seal, named for the cross-section’s distinctive “U” shape. They are used for both dynamic and static applications. The “U” shape energizes the sealing lips as the application pressure increases. U-cups come in Loaded, Unloaded, Homogenous, Z-Seal and Spring energized styles.
V
viscoelasticity: a combination of viscous and elastic properties in a material, with the relative contribution of each being dependent on time, temperature, stress, and strain rate.
viscosity: the resistance of a material to flow under stress.
viscosity, Mooney: a measure of the viscosity of a rubber or rubber compound determined in a Mooney shearing disk viscometer.
volume swell: increase in physical size caused by the swelling action of a liquid.
W
water absorption: the amount of water absorbed by a material under specified test conditions.
weathering: the surface deterioration of a rubber article during outdoor exposure.
width: radial dimension. For packing rings, or sets the term “packing space” is preferred.
wiper ring: a ring employed to remove excess fluid, mud, etc., from a reciprocating member before it reaches the packing.