• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.168-171
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• 2017

In this study, we observed degradation mechanism of FKM O-ring by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) at atmosphere condition. FKM O-ring had 3.53mm of cross-sectional diameter and 91.67mm of inner diameter. After thermal degradation, oxygen atom concentration of FKM O-ring was increased to 20.39%, and fluorine atom concentration was decreased to 8.29%. We observed that degradation reaction occurred by oxidation reaction. By C1s and F1s peak analysis, we confirmed that oxidation reaction usually occurred at C-F bonding of FKM main chain. Also, carboxyl group(C-OH, C=O, O=C-O) produced by oxidation reaction from O1s peak analysis.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2020

The long-term durability of an FKM O-ring used as parts of a hydrogen station was investigated by exposing it to high-pressure gaseous hydrogen for 1, 3, and 7 days at room temperature. Changes in its sealing force were subsequently measured at 150℃ using intermittent compression stress relaxation (CSR). No changes in the tensile properties of FKM O-ring were observed, but its initial and overall sealing forces at 150℃ significantly decreased with increasing exposure time to hydrogen gas. Microvoid formation in the FKM O-ring upon exposure to high-pressure hydrogen was minimized over time after the ring was exposed to atmospheric pressure at room temperature, which prevented changes in its tensile properties. However, applying heat accelerated FKM O-ring oxidation, which decreased its sealing force. These results indicated that identifying changes in the sealing force of rubber materials using intermittent CSR is not sufficient for monitoring changes in mechanical properties under high-pressure hydrogen atmospheres; however, it is suitable for evaluating the long-term durability of sealing materials for hydrogen station applications under similar conditions.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.213-219
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• 2018

The degradation mechanism and physical properties of an FKM O-ring were observed with thermal aging in this experiment. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, we could observe carbon (285 eV), fluoro (688 eV), and oxygen (531 eV) peaks. Before thermal aging, the concentration of fluoro atoms was 51.23%, which decreased to 8.29% after thermal aging. The concentration of oxygen atoms increased from 3.16% to 20.39%. Under thermal aging, the FKM O-ring exhibited debonding of the fluoro-bond by oxidation. Analysis of the C1s, O1s, and F1s peaks revealed that the degradation reaction usually occurred at the C-F, C-F2, and C-F3 bonds, and generated a carboxyl group (-COOH) by oxidation. Due to the debonding reaction and decreasing mobility, the glass transition temperature of the FKM O-ring increased from $-15.91^{\circ}C$ to $-13.79^{\circ}C$. From the intermittent CSR test, the initial sealing force was 2,149.6 N, which decreased to 1,156.2 N after thermal aging. Thus, under thermal aging, the sealing force decreased to 46.2%, compared with its initial state. This phenomenon was caused by the debonding reaction and decreasing mobility of the FKM O-ring. The S-S curve exhibited a 50% increase in modulus, with break at a low strain and stress state. This was also attributed to the decreasing mobility due to thermal aging degradation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1125-1131
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• 2009

O-rings are commonly used in machines as a seal. Due to prolonged use the surface of an O-ring can degrade which can lead to leakage as well as contamination. Damage of O-rings used in vacuum applications such as sputter is caused by various mechanisms. Particles detached from the O-ring may cause significant problems on the performance of the system in the vacuum chamber. Therefore, understanding the tribological behavior of O-rings is important to tackle the damage caused by repeated contact. In this work, FKM rubber was used for friction and wear tests conducted to investigate the tribological behavior of O-rings. A reciprocating type of a tribo-tester was used for the tests. The friction coefficient between the steel ball and the FKM specimen was quite high. Also, in order to identify the wear behavior, the surface of the FKM specimen was characterized using both optical and scanning electron microscopes. Evidence of wear due to adhesion and extrusion could be found. The results of this work will aid in improving the durability of O-rings.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2010

Intermittent CSR testing was used to investigate the degradation of an FKM O-ring, also the prediction of its life-time. An intermittent CSR jig was designed taking into consideration the O-ring's environment under use. The testing allowed observation of the effects of friction, heat loss, and stress relaxation by the Mullins effect. Degradation of O-rings by thermal aging was observed between 60 and $160^{\circ}C$. In the high temperature of range ($100-160^{\circ}C$) O-rings showed linear degradation behavior and satisfied the Arrhenius relationship. The activation energy was about 60.2 kJ/mol. From Arrhenius plots, predicted life-times were 43.3 years and 69.9 years for 50% and 40% failure conditions, respectively. Based on TTS (time-temperature superposition) principle, degradation was observed at $60^{\circ}C$, and could save testing time. Between 60 and $100^{\circ}C$ the activation energy decreased to 48.3 kJ/mol. WLF(William-Landel-Ferry) plot confirmed that O-rings show non-linear degradation behavior under $80^{\circ}C$. The life-time of O-rings predicted by TTS principle was 19.1 years and 25.2 years for each failure condition. The life-time predicted by TTS principle is more conservative than that from the Arrhenius relationship.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.222-228
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• 2019

As rubber products such as O-rings, which are also known as packings or toric joints, come in regular, long term contact with liquid fuel, they can eventually swell, become mechanically weakened, and occasionally crack; this diminishes both their usefulness and intrinsic lifetime and could cause leaks during the steady-state flow condition of the fuel. In this study, we evaluate the lifetime of such products through compression set tests of FKM, a family of fluorocarbon elastomer materials defined by the ASTM international standard D141; these materials have great compression, sunlight, and ozone resistance as well as a low gas absorption rate. In this process, O-rings are immersed in the liquid fuel of airtight containers that can be expressed as a compression set, and the liquid fuel leakage in a flow rig tester at variable temperatures over 12 months is investigated. Using the Power Law model, our study determined a theoretical O-ring lifetime of 2,647 years, i.e. a semi-permanent lifespan, by confirming the absence of liquid fuel leakage around the O-ring assembled fittings. These results indicate that the FKM O-rings are significantly compatible for fuel tests to evaluate long-term sealing conditions.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.197-207
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• 2018

Thermal deterioration of fuel due to long-term storage influences engine performance and causes malfunctions. Fuel stability is usually evaluated via heat resistance and thermal stability during a brief heat shock at high temperature; storage stability in this scenario means that there is very little change in the quality of the fuel during long-term storage. In addition, rubber-based products such as oil seals, O-rings, and rubber hoses can influence the quality of the fuel. When these rubber products are in contact with fuel, they can swell, mechanically weaken, and occasionally crack, thus leaking low molar weight rubber and additives including plasticizer and antioxidant into the fuel to degrade its properties and shorten its useful lifetime. This study determines the thermal stabilities of three kinds of synthetic fuels by evaluating their low temperature kinematic viscosities, chemical composition changes via GC analyses, gross heat of combustion, and color changes. We evaluate the compression set of O-rings by immersing one NBR and two FKM rubber O-rings in the three synthetic fuel samples in airtight containers at variable storage temperatures for six months; from this, we estimate the lifetimes of the O-rings using the Power law model. There were very little changes in the chemical compositions and gross heat of combustion after six months of the experiment. The lifetimes are thus dependent on the materials of the rubber products, and in particular, the FKM O-ring was calculated to have a theoretical lifetime of 200 to 5,700 years. These results indicate that the synthetic fuels maintain their physical properties even after long-term storage at high temperatures, and the FKM O-ring is suitable for long-term sealing of these fuels.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.171-176
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• 2005

O-ring seal is an essential component in various mechanical apparatuses for a sealing of oil container and pressure vessels. This paper presents the sealing pressure and compressive contact behaviors of hi-polymer O-rings, which is made by an outer shell of FFKM material and an inner solid ring of FKM one. The contact normal pressure and its ratios are measured by experimental method with an automatic control system of the working temperature and analyzed numerically by using the non-linear Marc FEM program. The results show reasonably good agreements between the computed FEM results and measured ones when the operating temperature is kom normal temperature of $18^{\circ}C$ and a high temperature of $300^{\circ}C$ But the compared values between the computed and tested results show a little difference because of the increased temperature, which is related to the non-linear parameter of the O-ring material. Bi-polymer 0-ring shows a good contact normal stress and compression behavior for a given operation temperature and compression ratio.