Failure Modes

INSTALLATION DAMAGE

Many O-ring failures can be directly attributed to improper installation. In spite of its simple appearance, the O-ring is a precision device requiring care during installation. Leakage will often be instantaneous. Installation damage is generally evidenced by a clean line in the seal, often in a pattern consistent with the hardware.

Some of the more frequent causes of O-ring failure due to careless handling are:

• There are sharp corners on mating metal components such as the O-ring gland or threads over which the O-ring must pass during assembly. 
• Insufficient lead-in chamfer.