One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to distinguish one type of seal from a similar-looking seal is through surface painting, such as the stripes on these O-rings.
Color Coding and Seal Identification
Typically, parts are color-coded for seal identification and to easily differentiate them from similar-looking parts made from different materials. The properties of many elastomeric seals are not identifiable just through visual inspection. One black gasket looks much the same as another but can have significantly different properties. This can result in wasted time having to reinstall the correct seal, and can lead to product malfunction or complete failure, or pose a safety risk.
Additionally, parts may need to be visibly distinguishable to verify that the part has actually been installed. On other occasions, there may be a desire to have parts in a different color purely for branding or cosmetic reasons.
There are a number of ways parts can be color-coded. Visual identification is most common. Dots, stripes, rings or other markings can be applied post-production with permanent ink on the cross-section or OD (outer diameter). Such symbols can be helpful in aligning the seal during installation. PTFE is also used to color code parts. Finished parts can be coated with different colors of PTFE as another means of seal identification.
Dying the compounds prior to production allows for solid color all the way through, important in applications where erosion is an issue or where company branding is important.
Web Seal works with you to find the right color-coding for your needs.