One of the most important things which is recommended to be done before installing most types of seals is to be properly lubricated. Lubricants are commonly used for handling O-rings and other elastomeric seals. Using a suitable grease or oil during installation helps protect the O-ring from damage by pinching, abrasion, or cutting. It also helps seat the O-ring properly, speeds up installation operations, and makes automated assembly line procedures possible.
O-rings are the most commonly used seals in fluid-power systems. They must deform to function properly. As the name implies, the O-rings have a doughnut shape. (Torus is the geometric term that describes the O-ring.) They are installed in cavities known as grooves and then compressed. The resulting zero clearance within the groove provides the seal that blocks the flow of liquids and gases. This simple arrangement serves many fluid-power systems very well, but success still requires careful design, selection, and installation procedures.