Investigation of O-Ring Deterioration Due to Polymerized Oil Oxidation Products

Oil leakage itself is not serious for machine operation but it is one of the most troublesome problems for hydraulic and lubricating systems maintenance. Oil leakage endangers the working environment and causes injury and fire in factories. It is generally understood that oil leakage is caused by deterioration or wear of sealing materials like rubber. Maintenance people have sometimes seen some deposits on the deteriorated oil seals. However no studies have been made in the past on the relation between the deterioration of the rubber materials and the deposits. This paper demonstrates by experimental that deposits of polymerized oil oxidation products (hereinafter called as “sludge”) take an important role of deterioration of sealing materials.