Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2006-03-21 20:31
A variety of materials is used for 0-rings, simply BECAUSE an environment that wrecks one, needs a different material.
I once had an occasion to need a 0-ring that resisted both acetone and "white spirits" (similar to lighter fluid). The material "Viton" was too firm. My quest failed.
However as long as a SUITABLE grease is used, there should not be a problem. However as long as grease is still needed, I cannot see that there is any gain in using 0-rings instead of cork. There are very slight advantages, alongside significant disadvantages, including the rolling as mentioned, and the assembly 'jerk' just after an 0-ring gets compressed, which puts levers and bridge keys at greater risk of collision.
Also, currently-available 0-ring materials seem not to RETAIN grease anywhere near as well as cork does, on the particular surface where it is required. I, for one, do not want to have to apply a grease for every assembly. For a good cork, with good grease, application once in about 30 assemblies is typical for me.
BTW, cork is gradually wrecked by Vaseline. So cork, too, needs an APPROPRIATE grease, as has been discussed many times here.
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