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Oxygen Compatible O-Rings, Lubricant and Tools

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Viton O-Rings+ Enlarge  |   Pricelist $

In Stock

> Viton O-Rings

We stock a variety of DuPont Performance Elastomers Viton® brand O-rings suitable for use in SCUBA applications.

Sizing -- Society of Automotive Engineers AS568B is an Aerospace Standard that specifies sizes for O-rings used in sealing applications. An AS568B number is a three-digit suffix that identifies the O-ring's size. Technically, an O-ring size is listed as AS568B-016, AS568B-112, etc., but most people use just the three-digit number. The first digit denotes the O-ring cross section width: 0xx = 1/16-inch, 1xx = 3/32-inch, 2xx = 1/8-inch. While it might seem convenient to provide a picture sizing chart, we've never seen an online version that could be reproduced exactly in a Web browser. Also, sizing an existing O-ring that has been in service can be error prone because O-rings can take a set that changes their dimensions enough to be misleading. Luckily, the sizes used in 'user servicable' SCUBA applications are fairly regular, so it's probably best to choose the size based upon the application.
AS568B- Outside Diameter SCUBA Application Seal
214 1-1/4 Cylinder with Large Neck/Valve (3/4 NPS - All Aluminum, most Steel cylinders)
116 15/16 Cylinder with Small Neck/Valve (7/8 UNF - "Genesis" 3500 psi Steel cylinders)
112 11/16 Standard DIN Regulator/Valve (Nearly all DIN regulators)
111 5/8 Small DIN Regulator/Valve (You know if you need this one)
015 11/16 Cylinder Valve Bonnet Nut
014 5/8 Standard Yoke Regulator/K-valve
013 9/16 Large Low-Pressure Port/Hose (1/2 UNF)
012 1/2 High-Pressure Port/Hose (7/16 UNF) Manifold and Manifold Port Plugs
011 7/16 Standard Low-Pressure Port/Hose (3/8 UNF)
010 3/8 Low-Pressure Hose/2nd Stage Regulator Cylinder Valve Stem
003 3/16 High-Pressure Hose/SPG swivel

Materials -- O-rings can be made of a very long list of exotic materials; most are inappropriate for SCUBA applications. The materials commonly used in SCUBA applications appear in the following table.

Material Description
Acrylonitrile-Butadine Copolymers
(NBR or Nitrile)		 Most O-rings used in SCUBA are made from Nitrile, a hydrocarbon based synthetic rubber. Nitrile offers excellent resistance to many oils and acids and has good physical properties. However, Nitrile is not a very oxygen resistant material and is not considered oxygen compatible. Nitrile is also often referred to as Buna-N.
Fluorocarbon Elastomers
(FKM)		 O-rings made of FKM have been the preferred choice for oxygen and nitrox compatibility in SCUBA diving applications. FKM is an elastomer with excellent oil and oxygen resistance at high and low temperatures, very good chemical resistance. Even for use with ordinary air, most experts agree that FKM O-rings outperform common Nitrile O-rings. Viton is DuPont Performance Elastomer's brand name for FKM.
Polyurethane
(PUR)		 The milky white O-ring occasionally seen in the face of K-valves, sometimes called a 10,000 psi O-ring, is made of Polyurethane. Polyurethane is very abrasion-resistant, but it is sensitive to UV light (sunlight).
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
(EPDM)		 EPDM O-rings are becoming more common in SCUBA because some people feel it's a safer material for use in breathing air systems. EPDM is a elastomer with excellent weatherability, heat resistance, dielectric qualities and odor-free characteristics. However, EPDM is less resilient and is not recommended for use with petroleum derivatives.

Hardness -- O-rings are normally available with a hardness rating, as measured by an ASTM type-A durometer, of 70 (the "soft" kind) or more rarely a rating of 90 (the "stiff" kind). The O-rings sold on this page are 90-duro (except for the -003 SPG O-ring), and well suited for the SCUBA applications we describe. The soft O-rings are appropriate for dynamic applications where the O-ring is providing a seal with a constantly moving part, such as inside regulators. The stiff O-rings are more durable in static applications where the O-ring is providing a seal with stationary or occasionally moving parts, such as a valve.

Color -- O-rings are available in nearly any color, although most commonly seen in black. Most Viton O-rings are black. The Viton O-rings sold on this page are brown, simply to make them easily distinguishable from Nitrile O-rings which are usually black and EPDM O-rings which are often purple. Just to be clear, the COLOR of the O-ring is MEANINGLESS. Some people believe there is a difference in quality based on color, but that is more likely attributed to unknowingly using soft dynamic O-rings in static applications. Our O-ring manufacturer states there is little difference in quality for O-rings based on color alone, and independent testing supports that statement. Some people also incorrectly believe a Viton O-ring can be distinguished from a Nitrile O-ring by the surface appearance. Nitrile O-rings are said to have a shiny surface, and Viton O-rings are said to have a matte surface. This is not a reliable indicator, and certainly not true if the O-ring has been lubricated.

OEM-Supplied O-Rings -- Designers of modern SCUBA equipment often specify O-rings with special properties and materials for specific uses inside their equipment, particularly regulator internal o-rings. The special o-rings are supplied as part of factory service parts kits. Substituting any other generic O-ring just because it's the right size can cause difficult-to-diagnose problems and degrade performance. Many of the high piece count generic o-ring kits for scuba contain a lot of o-rings that are sizes only used inside regulators. However, most modern quality regulators now use specialized o-rings thus making many of the o-rings in large kits useless and a very poor value.

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Beware of Imitation Oxygen Compatible O-rings

Viton is DuPont Performance Elastomer's brand name for fluorocarbon based elastomers (FKM). The Viton O-rings sold at Dive Gear Express are 100% virgin Viton family type "A.". Products not made from Viton may fall short of the expected performance. However, DuPont Performance Elastomers is not the only company that manufactures FKM products. Bear in mind that not all FKMs are equivalent, and there are even different types of Viton O-rings intended for various different applications. Many people incorrectly refer to any and all FKM O-rings or even generic "oxygen-compatible" O-rings as Viton. Like "Rolexx" wristwatches, the industry has begun to see a lot of imitation Viton, particularly with O-rings manufactured outside the US. As a result, you could end up with O-rings that are not the type of Viton you need, and most likely not even an oxygen compatible O-ring at all. Note the color of the O-ring is meaningless, we've seen impostor Viton O-rings that were actually a mixture of a little Viton and mostly cheap plain rubber, yet were also brown. The problem has become so widespread that we've had to resort to certification testing to verify our O-rings are as described and now make up our own kits. We're going to be very frank: the 'asian import' o-ring kits in the little plastic compartmentalized boxes are not 'as advertised', we know because we had them tested.


3-Piece Brass O-Ring Pick Set+ Enlarge  |   Pricelist $

In Stock

$15.95

3-Piece Brass O-Ring Pick Set

Brass O-Ring Pick Set This three piece brass o-ring pick set is specifically designed for removal and placement of o-rings, but at Dive Gear Express we use them for all sorts of other tasks. The brass tips won't scratch soft seating surfaces in valves, regulators or other equipment and the color coded plastic handles have a comfortable ridged grip. Two of the tools have a sharp point and work well for removal, the third has a tiny ball on the end and is nice for placement. The set of three tools are in a re-sealable plastic package to help keep them organized and clean.

Tribolube_group-250.jpg+ Enlarge  |   Pricelist $

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> Tribolube Oxygen-Compatible Lubricant

Dive Gear Express is proud to offer Aerospace Lubricants Tribolube® line of products designed specifically for scuba diving applications. With over 35 years of background science, Tribolube offers superior extreme pressure and anti-wear properties, thus extending equipment life by dramatically reducing corrosion. Tribolube is a synthetic lubricant that is chemically inert, oxygen-compatible, non-migrating, odorless, non-toxic, and non-flammable.

Tribolube 71 is designed for open and closed circuit diving systems. This O2 safe lubricant is compatible with all o-ring seals and materials used in the scuba industry. Tribolube also offers significantly reduced residue buildup in comparison to other oxygen compatible lubricants. Available in a choice of three types of packaging; a 2-ounce tube or syringe as well as a handy 5 gram single use pillow pak.

Click Here to read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Tribolube 71.

Beware of Repackaged Lubricant: Some other vendors are purchasing oxygen compatible lubricants in bulk containers and then repackaging it in smaller 1/4 oz or 1/2 oz sizes. Aerospace Lubricants has advised us this is an unapproved and possibly unsafe practice. These unapproved package types contain mold release agents, silcone treated rubber stoppers in the syringes, and dyes in colored containers; all of which can leach into the lubricant itself. These containers, along the repackaging conditions themselves, are certain to produce lubricants which are contaminated and no longer suitable for oxygen service. Dive Gear Express only sells lubricants that are supplied directly from the factory in their carefully selected packaging.

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How Much and Where to Use Lubricant

Some people very sparingly lubricate the SPG swivel O-ring. Some people also sparingly lubricate the threads of valves before they are installed in the cylinder neck. Do NOT lubricate the neck O-ring itself, and absolutely positively do not lubricate the valve/regulator seal O-ring or DIN threads. Most lubricant is used with dynamic seals in regulators and valves. As a general rule, the O-rings used with static seals in SCUBA applications should not be lubricated at all. The lubricant just causes contamination to stick to the surface of the O-ring and results in more problems with a static seal than any dubious benefit the lubricant might provide.

Pricing for Oxygen Compatible O-Rings & Lubricant

Image Item SKU Description Ship Status Everyday
Great Price
Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 5gm Pillow Pak  ASL-PC71-9705 Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 5gm Pillow Pak In Stock $5.00
Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 2-ounce tube  ASL-PC71-9721 Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 2-ounce tube In Stock $34.95
Sale! $27.49
Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 2-ounce syringe  ASL-PC71-9721.S Tribolube 71 O2 Compatible Lubricant, 2-ounce syringe In Stock $34.95
Sale! $27.49
3-Piece Brass O-Ring Pick Set  INV-RB0894 3-Piece Brass O-Ring Pick Set In Stock $15.95
  Viton Brand O-rings  
 FX-V568A-KIT Viton O-ring kit, 50 pieces total, five each of 003,010,011,012,013,014,015,111,112,214 In Stock $24.95
Viton 214 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -214 Viton 214 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 116 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -116 Viton 116 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 112 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five (DIN)  FX-V568A -112 Viton 112 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five (DIN) In Stock $3.00
Viton 111 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -111 Viton 111 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 015 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -015 Viton 015 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 014 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five (Yoke)  FX-V568A -014 Viton 014 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five (Yoke) In Stock $3.00
Viton 013 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -013 Viton 013 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 012 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -012 Viton 012 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 011 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -011 Viton 011 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 010 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five  FX-V568A -010 Viton 010 O-ring, brown, 90 duro, package of five In Stock $3.00
Viton 003 O-ring, brown, 75 duro, package of five (SPG spool)  FX-V568A -003 Viton 003 O-ring, brown, 75 duro, package of five (SPG spool) In Stock $3.00
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