ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the confusion between the military and industrial specifications of O-ring gland designs relative to static and reciprocating seal applications. Confusion between the two specifications is attributed predominantly to the fact that the military specification covers both static and reciprocating seal designs without any distinction within the specification. Because reciprocating seals require less O-ring squeeze than static seals in order to function, the military specification inherently specifies less O-ring squeeze than the industrial static O-ring specification. As the use of O-ring seals has become more prevalent in mechanical systems, a growing confusing has developed in the minds of designers. This confusion centers on the application of military and industrial specifications in the design of O-ring glands. Both military and industrial design specifications incorporate the same standard-size rubber O-ring seals, but in different ways. The discripancy between the both are up to the designer to determine what specification is applicable to the desired intent of the design.
