The design charts in the sections below indicate a surface roughness value not to exceed 32 micro-inches (32 rms) on the sealing surfaces for static seals with a maximum of 16 rms recommended for face-type gas seals.
These figures are good general guidelines, but they do not tell the whole story. Equally important is the method used to produce the finish. If the surface is produced by turning the part on a lathe, or by some other method that produces scratches and ridges that follow the direction of the groove, a very rough surface will still seal effectively. Some methods such as end milling or routing, however, will produce scratches that cut across the O-Ring. Even these may have a rather high roughness value if the profile across them shows rounded “valleys” that the rubber can readily flow into. Usually, these tool marks have sharp, deep, angular valleys that the O-Ring material will not penetrate or fill completely. For this type of surface, the recommended roughness values should not be exceeded.
In a static seal, the mating gland parts are not subject to relative movement.
When using an O-Ring as a face seal, a groove is cut in a flat surface, such as a flange. The O-Ring is placed in the groove and a second flat surface compresses the O-Ring.
It is sometimes necessary to mount an O-Ring in a face type groove in such a way that it cannot fall out.
The AS568-901 through -932 O-Ring sizes (Parker’s 3- series) are intended to be used for sealing straight thread tube fittings in a boss.