X-Rings (Quad Rings): What They Are and Why They’re Useful
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Most people know about O-rings. They’re simple, circular seals that get used everywhere from engines to garden hoses. But have you come across X-rings — also known as quad rings?
At first glance, they look similar to O-rings. The difference is in the profile. Instead of being round, X-rings have an “X” shape when you cut across the cross-section. That one change gives them some unique advantages:
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Better sealing – The four lips of an X-ring create multiple sealing surfaces. This means less risk of leaks, even under pressure.
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Less friction – Because the design spreads the load, X-rings can reduce wear and running resistance compared to O-rings.
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Stay in place – The shape helps them resist rolling or twisting inside the groove, which is a common issue with O-rings in dynamic applications.
They’re often used in hydraulics, pneumatics, and any application where reliability matters.
Right now at Selo, we stock FKM (Viton®) X-rings, known for their excellent chemical and temperature resistance. They’re ideal for demanding environments. Next up, we’ll be adding NBR (nitrile) X-rings, a more cost-effective option that covers a huge range of everyday uses.
So whether you need a high-performance seal or a practical all-rounder, you’ll soon be able to choose the right X-ring for the job right here at Selo.