Difference between Oil Seal & O Ring

An oring is a specific kind of part - which is most often used to seal somthing.

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.

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

• 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?

Choosing between O Ring and Gasket Seals

When designing equipment, it is important to consider the various functions a seal must accomplish before deciding if an O ring or a gasket is better for this application. Both perform the same basic function of stopping liquids or gasses from ingressing or egressing.

The shape of the seal is one key criteria where the difference between an O ring and a gasket becomes very clear. In some applications, only a gasket will work because the shape of the joint makes it difficult or impossible to design a good seal using an O ring, which requires a groove to sit in.

The other key factors are temperature and pressure. The material used to make the seal is a critical factor with regards to operating temperature. While both O rings and gaskets can perform well in a wide temperature range, gaskets have the edge in extreme temperatures. O rings, however, are the superior choice in applications with extreme pressure. Under pressure, an O ring’s performance will improve while a gasket’s effectiveness will decrease.

Understanding the difference between O rings and gaskets is critical to making the choice that will function best and longest in the application in question. At Abbey Seals, we invest in state-of-art technology to create custom materials to meet your needs. Our recommendation is always to review the total application from the customer and, with all the information in hand, we can offer the most appropriate seal for whichever application. Contact our experts today, and we will happy to answer any questions you might have about