Polymer-based O-rings Paper

Scenario
Your engineering manager has informed you that you will be involved some new projects, one of which is
involved with the design of a new line of polymer-based O-rings. These will be used in a static application to
seal a motor enclose, as part of an inspection robot that operates underwater in the North Sea.
Activity
Before you take on the project, you need to show that you understand the subject area, your manager has
therefore set you a number of tasks to determine your level of knowledge.
Task 1
To ensure that you are taking the first steps in the right direction of the project, you will need to submit a series
of answers to set questions, as follows:
a) Briefly describe at least three of the required properties for an O-ring in this sub-sea application.
b) Using the data sheets provided in workbook 2 or others acquired from a reliable source, select and
describe two polymer materials which would be suitable for this application, as well as some suitable
processing techniques for the materials.
c) Looking again at the data sheets, suggest how a suitable modification could improve these materials by
extending their range.
Task 2
a) Describe three common reasons for the premature failure of polymer-based products.
b) List how polymer materials can be disposed of and explain how they could also be recycled.
c) Describe how the service conditions of the O-rings may contribute to their failure.
Task 3
For a polymer product of your choice, analyse the potential benefits of using a proportion of or wholly recycled
material in place of virgin material.