Can an O-ring sealing ring be over-compressed?

O-ring sealing is a self sealing structure, and its sealing effect largely depends on the correct matching of O-ring size and groove size to form a reasonable compression and tension of the sealing ring. A reasonable compression amount is crucial for the sealing performance and service life of O-rings.
When the O-ring is subjected to excessive compression, it can cause the rubber stress to relax, which may cause to leakage problems. In addition, excessive compression may accelerate the aging process of O-rings, further reducing their sealing performance and service life.
On the other hand, if the compression amount of the O-ring is too small, it may also cause leakage due to the coaxiality error of the sealing groove and the O-ring error not meeting the requirements, resulting in the disappearance of some compression amount.
Therefore, when designing and installing O-rings, it is necessary to strictly control their compression capacity. Generally speaking, the compression range of O-rings is about 30% in static seals and about 20% in dynamic seals. This range ensures that the O-ring is neither excessively compressed nor stretched, thereby maintaining its good sealing performance and service life.
In summary, O-ring sealing rings should not be excessively compressed and their compression should be strictly controlled to ensure sealing effectiveness and service life.