PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The STU back-up ring is a closed ring concave in cross-section. It is produced entirely as a closed ring with no seams, by the injection-moulding process. For our STU back-up rings we use an NBR material of 90° Shore-A hardness, so as to guarantee a high level of resistance to extrusion and abrasion. The back-up ring's concave cross-section provides the O-ring with a larger contact surface, having the effect of allowing the O-ring almost fully to retain its circular shape under high pressures and to be less liable to deformation. This means that the shape of the O-ring is supported better and it can therefore withstand higher pressure loads. This produces a better sealing effect and increases the seal's service life. Due to its closed design, under high pressures it is not possible for the O-ring to be damaged by a sharp edge at the open-ended joint (as is the case with open back-up rings). The STU back-up ring is of symmetrical profile. This allows it to be used in both internal and external sealing systems.

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

STU back-up rings are used in conjunction with O-rings to avoid gap extrusion. Under high pressures and with large sealing gaps, there is the risk that the material of the O-ring is compressed into the sealing gap at the side not subject to pressure. If this process is repeated and if the pressure rises further, then irreversible damage may be caused to the O-ring and it may eventually be completely destroyed. STU back-up rings are used to reduce the risk of gap extrusion. These reduce the sealing gap at the side of the O-rings not subject to pressure. STU back-up rings do not fulfil any sealing function per se. However, by reducing the sealing gap at the side not subject to pressure, they ensure that the O-ring can fulfil its sealing function in the long term, without suffering any damage. Back-up rings are also used for applications involving pulsed and varying pressures. STU back-up rings are often used in hydraulic systems, especially in hydraulic valves and hydraulic pumps, and also for sealing cylinder bottoms and heads (in conjunction with O-rings). However, STU back-up rings are also used in many other fields of industry as a whole, e.g. for sealing ball valves.