Should I use a gasket or an O-ring?

Author: Ingrid

Apr. 29, 2024

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O-Ring vs Gasket: Which Seal Is Best for Your Application?

Gaskets and o-rings both serve a similar purpose–to seal against liquid or gas in a specific application. However, the two sealing devices vary greatly in appearance and are designed for different environments.

The company is the world’s best gasket vs o ring supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

When choosing a seal for your application, how do you know whether a gasket or o-ring is right for you? Here are the major differences between gaskets and o-rings you need to consider. 

O-Ring Basics

As the name suggests, o-rings are round, ring-shaped sealing devices that sit in a groove between two parts, which are often cylindrical. It is the compression of the two parts that allow the o-ring to form an air or liquid-tight seal. Generally, o-rings can withstand pressure and vibration within their application. Based on their shape, o-rings can be designed for both static and dynamic applications. 

O-Rings can be manufactured in a variety of different flexible materials and can be customized in size and thickness depending on the design. 

Common applications that require o-rings include:

  • Hydraulics

  • Fuel systems

  • Medical and pharmaceutical 

  • Oil

  • Pipe joints

  • HVAC

Gasket Basics

While o-rings are typically round and vary in thickness, gaskets are flat seals that sit between two flat surfaces. Gaskets are often circular, however they can be cut into virtually any shape, including square, triangle, rectangle or any other complex form. Similar to o-rings, gasket seals are often manufactured with flexible materials. However, gaskets can also be designed with harder materials such as rigid polymers or metal. 

Common applications that require gaskets include: 

  • Electronics

  • Electrical motors

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  • Power generation

  • Transportation and automotive

  • Telecommunication devices

Choosing the Best Seal for Your Application

While gaskets and o-rings are both dependable sealing devices, their stark differences make them suitable for different environments. O-Rings are the best choice for high-pressure applications as they can withstand extreme amounts without failure. While both sealing devices can function in a wide range of temperatures, gaskets are better suited for extreme temperature environments. 

The shape of the seal is also a key deciding factor between gaskets and o-rings. O-Rings are made for circular joints and require a groove, whereas gaskets can be designed to fit virtually any shape. 

 

Want to learn more about gaskets and o-rings? 

Contact an engineer today. 

O-Ring vs Gasket: Which Seal Is Best for Your Application?

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Gasket vs. O-Ring: Differences and Common Applications

While gaskets and O-rings serve a similar purpose of sealing out air or liquid, the two are designed for different situations and vary in appearance. Here, the team at Mercer Gasket & Shim will explain the differences between these sealing solutions to help you determine the best one for your application.

What Are Gaskets and O-Rings?

Gaskets are flat pieces of material used to make a seal between two flat surfaces, usually with a bolted joint. O-rings are round, ring-shaped pieces that must set in a groove to create a seal between two parts. While gaskets are most commonly circles, they are also manufactured in a variety of other shapes. Both gaskets and O-rings are made using flexible materials, but gaskets can also be made out of other rigid polymers and metals. The thickness of an O-ring can be customized to fit unique specifications, while gaskets may be layered with different coatings to work best for various applications.

Common Applications for Gaskets

  • Electrical motors, power generators, and transformers
  • Electronics
  • Handheld communication devices
  • Telecommunications equipment
  • Aerospace and defense industry
  • Transportation and automotive
  • Medical devices
  • Food and beverage industry

Common Applications for O-Rings

  • Hydraulic seals
  • Pipe joints
  • Equipment with fluid seal points
  • HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  • Oil seals
  • Fuel systems
  • Food processing
  • Pharmaceutical and medical industry
  • Pulp and paper industry

Choosing the Best for Your Application

When deciding whether a gasket or O-ring is best for your application, consider the environment and function of the seal. When choosing the best seal, look for features such as shape, temperature, and pressure.

When a non-circular joint requires a good seal, an O-ring would be difficult to use because of its round shape. Gaskets can be customized to almost any shape, allowing them to work as a seal for a larger variety of applications.

The operating temperature of equipment will determine the best material to use for manufacturing the O-ring or gasket. While both can withstand a wide range of temperatures, gaskets are best for extreme temperature situations. However, O-rings perform better than gaskets in applications with extreme pressure.

Contact Us for Your Gaskets and O-Rings Needs

Mercer Gasket & Shim is a premium manufacturer of custom O-rings and gaskets in an array of materials and sizes to best suit our customers’ needs. Our team has over 80 years of experience in sealing solutions. We are committed to the highest standards with a target for 100% on-time delivery and a 0% defect rate, and strive to provide the fastest turnaround in the industry. To learn more about our cost-effective, durable sealing solutions contact us or request a quote today.

For more information, please visit R37 oil seal.

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