O-Rings Materials
Original article on Paper Advance
Not all O-rings are created equal.
Every component of a flow meter, including O-rings, must withstand the operating conditions it faces. The correct O-ring material choice requires consideration of chemical, temperature, and pressure compatibility. O-rings matter: a proper seal makes all the difference in flow meter performance and service life.
The 3 Most Popular O-ring Choices
🟡 Nitrile (NBR)
Nitrile seals are standard for general-purpose use in most ESKO variable area flow meters. Nitrile handles most flow meter applications due to its resistance to common industrial fluids, including petroleum-based oils and fuels. Nitrile has a narrower temperature resistance range: -35°C to 120°C.
⚫ Viton®
Need resistance to chemicals and high temperatures? Viton® O-rings are a strong choice for long-term use in demanding environments involving acids, alcohols, solvents, or hydrocarbons. They’re even mold resistant. At ESKO, Viton® O-rings come standard in the popular ESF and EDF seal water meters and are also available in oil lubrication models. These two models are popular in pulp and paper mills, where elevated temperatures and chemical additives are part of everyday operations. Viton® has greater high-temperature resistance: -20°C to 240°C.
⚪ EPDM
Preferred for alkaline washdown systems and steam exposure. You’ll see EPDM O-rings in flow meter installations that use caustic cleaners or where ozone or oxidizing agents are present. EPDM O-rings are optional in ESKO flow meters ranging from purge meters to heavy-duty flow meters. EPDM’s temperature resistance range: -50°C to 150°C.
Proper Installation Is Important
Even the toughest O-ring can fail if it’s not installed with care. Improper groove sizing, overstretching, or stray dirt during installation or maintenance can cause problems.
A reliable seal starts long before your flow meter sees service. ESKO follows strict tolerances and cleanliness protocols for every seal installed. A touch of lubricant helps protect O-rings from cuts and nicks that can compromise effectiveness. A damaged seal isn’t just a maintenance headache, it’s a risk to performance, safety, and uptime.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance O-rings
O-ring selection is never one-size-fits-all. It’s a small detail that protects your process from bigger problems like costly leaks and downtime. It’s a carefully considered component across ESKO’s modular flow meter lines, from seal water monitoring to viscous fluid applications.
Maintenance Made Easy
ESKO offers a full range of maintenance support, including factory refurbishing, replacement parts, complete rebuild kits, and O-ring kits for each model of flow meter. O-ring kits are designed specifically for in-house maintenance of flow meters and include all the replacement O-rings for complete cleaning and rebuild, with detailed installation and placement information. O-rings in various sizes and materials are also available in bulk to support maintenance programs.
👉 Not sure what’s sealing your system? Find out what material makes sense for your application.
ESKO has been supplying variable area flow meters to the pulp and paper industry for over four decades. The versatility and reliability of variable area flow meters are unmatched in seal water monitoring, lubricating oil monitoring systems, chemical dosing, and more. For operators seeking a dependable, cost-effective, and easy-to-maintain flow monitoring solution, the simple but effective variable area flow meter delivers. Contact us today to see how we can help keep your processes running smoothly with tried-and-true technology.
