The O-Ring gland (also known as O-Ring groove) is a very important design feature for manufacturing both efficient and cost-effective O-Rings.
The most important consideration for gland design is that it allows for proper and complete compression between the groove and the mating surface. While the shape of the O-Ring relies and depends on the application, shape is generally unimportant. The groove can be a variety of shapes; anything from triangular, rectangular, or dovetail.
Dynamic O-ring sealing applications are more complex and involved than static sealing applications due to the motion against the O-Ring seal interface. Resistance to fluids must be more scrutinized than in conventional static seal designs since volumetric increases in O-rings in excess of ~ 20% may lead to friction and wear difficulties, and a minimum shrinkage, at most 4%, can be tolerated.