MadgeTech RFOT-O-Rings User manual

O-RINGS 101: PROTECTING YOUR DATA

COMMON MODES OF O-RING FAILURE

INSTALLATION

DAMAGE

Signs to look for:

Small nicks, cuts,
and gashes in the
O-Ring.

How to prevent this:

Install the new
O-Ring carefully, per
instructions below.
In service, lubricate
the O-Ring regularly
to prevent pinching
and shearing.

COMPRESSION

SET

Signs to look for:

A flattened cross­section relative to
the sealing surfaces.

How to prevent this:

Review the
application in terms
of temperature and
chemical exposure.
The temperature
specification of the
logger may have
been exceeded, or
a chemical present
in the process might
have hardened the
O-Ring.

CHEMICAL

DEGRADATION

Signs to look for:

Hardening,
blistering, cracking,
discoloration.

How to prevent this:

Investigate the
environment in
which the logger is
used to see what
chemicals are
present. Contact
MadgeTech for
a chemically
compatible O-Ring,
specific to the
application.

THERMAL

DEGRADATION

Signs to look for:

Radial cracking,
deformation.

How to prevent this:

This is not common.
Therefore, it should
be assumed the
logger has been
used outside of its
specified operating
range. Please verify
the operating
environment before
continuing to use
the logger.

DO’S AND DON’TS OF O-RING MAINTENANCE

MadgeTech data loggers come directly from the factory with high quality O-Rings that
have been properly installed. As a user, there are only a few things that you need to
remember to maintain a functional O-Ring seal.

DO:

• Clean them frequently (use compressed air or a soft brush to avoid abrasion).

• Lubricate regularly (if it doesn’t feel slippery, it needs to be lubricated). We recommend
Parker® Super-O-Lube, but any silicone based O-Ring lubricant will work. This is most
important on the seals that are frequently opened and closed for communication with
the logger.

• Inspect the O-Ring regularly for signs of failure (see the reverse side of this pamphlet
for details on what to look for).

DON’T:

• Poke, jab, pry at the O-Ring with sharp or pointed objects.

• Expose the O-Rings to harsh chemicals

• Expose the seals to high pressure (all of our submersible data loggers are rated to
60PSIG).

• Expose the seal to high temperatures (see data logger for operating temperature range).

OUTGASSING

Signs to look for:

Reduction in cross­section (can be hard
to detect visually).

How to prevent this:

This is common
in high vacuum
applications.
Contact MadgeTech
to discuss a solution
for your application.
(It might be as
simple as not using
an O-Ring at all!)

SPIRAL

FAILURE

Signs to look for:

Cuts or marks
spiraling around the
circumference.

How to prevent this:

Install the new
O-Ring carefully
per the enclosed
instructions. In
service, lubricate
the O-Ring regularly
to prevent twisting.

PROPER O-RING
REPLACEMENT

1. Unscrew the part(s) to expose the O-Ring.

2. Use a small pointed tool (knife or pick)
to pry the old O-Ring out of its groove.

3. Make sure that the O-Ring groove is free
of any dirt or debris.

4. Partially screw the mating parts back
together leaving the O-Ring groove
exposed.

5. Apply a thin coat of lubricant to the O-Ring.

6. Stretch the O-Ring
over the cap and
into its groove.
Avoid stretching
the O-Ring over
the threads! Sharp
threads can cut
your new O-Ring!

THIS GUIDE IS NOT FOR INTRINSICALLY SAFE PRODUCTS

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