An O-ring cord is a type of rubber cord that has a circular cross-section and can be used to make custom O-rings. O-rings are ring-shaped seals that are used to prevent leakage of fluids or gases in various applications, such as pipes, valves, pumps, cylinders, and more.
O-ring cords allow you to cut the exact length of rubber cord that you need and join the ends together with a special glue to form an O-ring of any size. This way, you can create O-rings that fit your specific requirements and dimensions.
O-ring cords are available in different materials, such as nitrile, silicone, viton, EPDM, neoprene, and more. Each material has its own properties and advantages, depending on the temperature, pressure, and chemical resistance that you need for your application.
For example, nitrile is a common and economical material that has good resistance to oil, water, and abrasion, but it is not suitable for high temperatures or ozone exposure. Silicone is a flexible and soft material that can withstand high and low temperatures, but it has poor resistance to oil and abrasion. Viton is a premium material that has excellent resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and ozone, but it is more expensive and harder to bond than other materials.
O-ring cords can be found in various shapes and sizes, such as round, square, quad, or sponge. Round O-ring cords are the most common and versatile shape, as they can fit into most standard O-ring grooves.
Square O-ring cords have a flat surface that can provide more contact area and better sealing performance than round cords, but they require a deeper groove. Quad O-ring cords have four lobes that can improve the seal stability and reduce friction, but they are more difficult to install and remove than round cords. Sponge O-ring cords are made of soft and compressible rubber that can fill large gaps and irregular surfaces, but they have lower mechanical strength and durability than solid cords.