X-Ring / Quad Ring / Nu-LIP

Available From UK Stock: X Rings (Quad Rings / Nu-LIP)

M Barnwell Services is one of the UK’s leading stockists and distributors of X Rings (Quad Rings / Nu-LIP) and other fluid sealing products. With over £5.1 million in stock, we serve over 5000 global customers with swift and dependable deliveries.

Our proficient team manages the entire production process, from prototyping and testing to final part manufacturing. Additionally, we offer specialised certification upon request.

If you would like more information about our range, download our catalogue, or contact a team member.

X Rings, also known as Quad Rings or Nu-LIPs are high-performance elastomer seals designed to overcome the limitations of standard O Rings, providing a more reliable solution for demanding applications and challenging environments.

The core feature of the X Ring is its unique four-lobed cross-section, which creates a double sealing action with four contact surfaces, compared to two surfaces of a standard O Ring. This design ensures uniform contact pressure across the sealing interface, delivering exceptional and reliable sealing efficiency. A key benefit of this design is the strategic placement of the mold parting line in the trough between the lobes. This prevents the primary sealing surfaces from being compromised by flash or irregularities – a common source of leakage in standard O Rings.

The X Rings design stability makes it the preferred sealing choice for dynamic and reciprocating applications common in hydraulic systems, industrial machinery and automotive engines. Unlike the round profile of a standard O Ring, the X Ring resists twisting and rolling within the groove, eliminating the risk of spiral failure and ensuring longevity.

Advantages of X Rings

• The grooves between the lobes act as lubricant reservoirs, trapping media to provide lubrication to the sliding surface, significantly reducing friction, especially in low-pressure systems. For high-pressure environments, the option to use higher modulus materials further cuts down on friction, extending the seals lifespan.
• X Rings are versatile and can often be retrofitted into existing O Ring grooves, allowing for immediate performance upgrade without requiring design changes
• O The four-lobed shape achieves an effective seal with less compression than a standard O Ring. This means the material remains optimum for longer
• The wider base and four-point contact give the seal a greater stability within the groove, making extrusion much less likely
• The X shaped profile creates a larger total sealing area
• Like O Rings, X Rings are pressure energised. However, the X shape distributes this pressure more evenly and efficiently

Applications by Industry

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems:

• Common in high-pressure sealing.

Industrial Machinery:

• Employed in pumps, compressors, and gearboxes to prevent leaks and contamination.

Automotive Industry:

• Ensures reliable seals in engines, transmissions, and steering systems.
• Reduces friction and wear in suspension systems.

Aerospace and Defence:

• Critical roles in jet engines, hydraulic, and fuel systems.
• Valued for superior sealing and durability.

Medical and Pharmaceutical:

• Prevents contamination in equipment like pumps and valves.
• Ensures purity in medical devices such as insulin pumps and nebulisers.

For specialist Quad Rings, M Barnwell Services also offers a range of Detectomer® products.

Rapid Seals Service

Recognising that each operating environment presents unique technical demands, our Rapid Seals service offers X Rings and sealing solutions in a wide range of sizes and requirements. Each seal is manufactured with careful consideration of the specific application, operating needs, temperatures, and environmental exposure to deliver optimal functionality and durability.

Our highly-adaptable and efficient production means we are able to provide an extensive range of X Ring designs and material combinations. This allows us to meet the diverse requirements of our customers, offering tailored solutions that meet exact performance criteria whether for standard use or complex, high-performance fluid power systems.

• Bespoke design and manufacturing flexibility
• Available in a wide range of sizes and custom profiles, precisely engineered for your specific application, operating needs, temperatures, and environmental exposure.
• No minimum order quantity
• No minimum start-up charge
• No tooling limitations
• Bespoke profiles service
• Sample identification
• Approved and compliant compounds: FDA, EC1935/2004 & EC2023/2006, KTW, NORSOK, 3-A Sanitary Standard 18-03 Class III
• Rapid delivery

High performance materials

M Barnwell Services supply a range of elastomer materials perfect for every application, with performance characteristics that meet high temperature, high pressure and aggressive chemical applications. We supply X-Rings that are manufactured to standard O Ring sizes, as well as custom sizes for specific applications. For use in the Food & Drink (FDA) and Pharmaceutical industries.

If you would like more information about our range, download our catalogue, visit the Rapid Seals service or contact a member of the team. Detectomer® is Registered Trademark of Rubber Fab