o-ring failure modes
- April 03, 2018
Gallagher recently published its Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry White Paper, now available for download on our site. This white paper discusses common issues that occur with elastomer seals in the semiconductor industry. The excerpt below is the fourth and final section of our new white paper, discussing Volatiles (offgassing) and Particle Generation. To download the white paper in its entirety, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry
High performance elastomers are found in many applications in the semiconductor industry (see paper titled Perfluoroelastomers in the Semiconductor Industry). Though perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seals are formulated to meet the highest performance requirements of integrated circuit (chip) manufacturers, even these elastomers can’t solve every sealing application nor will they last forever in service. Additionally, end users need to understand subtle performance differences between perfluoroelastomers in the same product line. For example, one product may be better at minimizing particle generation while another may be better for high temperature services.
- March 13, 2018
Gallagher recently published its Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry White Paper, now available for download on our site. This white paper discusses common issues that occur with elastomer seals in the semiconductor industry. The excerpt below is the third section of our new white paper, discussing O-Ring Stretch, Chemical Attack, Plasma Cracking, and Permeation. To download the entire white paper, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry
High performance elastomers are found in many applications in the semiconductor industry (see paper titled Perfluoroelastomers in the Semiconductor Industry). Though perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seals are formulated to meet the highest performance requirements of integrated circuit (chip) manufacturers, even these elastomers can’t solve every sealing application nor will they last forever in service. Additionally, end users need to understand subtle performance differences between perfluoroelastomers in the same product line. For example, one product may be better at minimizing particle generation while another may be better for high temperature services.
- February 06, 2018
Gallagher recently published its Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry White Paper, now available for download on our site. This white paper discusses common issues that occur with elastomer seals in the semiconductor industry. The excerpt below is the first section of our new white paper, discussing groove design and seal leakage. To download the entire white paper, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Failure Modes for Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry
High performance elastomers are found in many applications in the semiconductor industry (see paper titled Perfluoroelastomers in the Semiconductor Industry). Though perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seals are formulated to meet the highest performance requirements of integrated circuit (chip) manufacturers, even these elastomers can’t solve every sealing application nor will they last forever in service. Additionally, end users need to understand subtle performance differences between perfluoroelastomers in the same product line. For example, one product may be better at minimizing particle generation while another may be better for high temperature services.
- November 24, 2015
While O-Rings are an incredibly useful sealing application, they are not infallible. When they fail, it’s usually because of the combined adverse effects of several environmental factors.
The most common causes of O-Ring failures include:
- Improper gland design, allowing for too much or too little compression, not enough for seal expansion and tolerance stack-up.
- Incorrect O-Ring size.
- Incompatibility of O-Ring elastomer and environmental elements.
- Improper O-Ring installation.
- Inadequate O-Ring lubrication.
The combination of stresses on the O-Ring can be complex and difficult to evaluate. Therefore, it is crucial that both the O-Ring compound and size be tested in the real environment of its service. Below you’ll find three examples of the types of O-Ring failure that can occur, what causes the failure and how to identify and correct it.