Best Back Up Ring for O Ring Kits: Top PTFE and Buna Options for Sealing
Discover the leading backup ring assortments and O-ring kits designed to enhance seal reliability across plumbing, hydraulic, and industrial applications. This guide highlights five top picks that cover PTFE and Buna options, including split backup rings and comprehensive O-ring sets. Each product is evaluated for versatility, compatibility, and durability to help maintenance teams and DIYers select the best backup rings for their needs.
| Product | Brand | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backup Ring Asst PTFE 325 Pcs 36 Sizes | GRAINGER APPROVED | PTFE, SAE/ANSI sizes, 55 Shore D |
| Backup Ring Asst Buna 293Pcs 36Szs | GRAINGER APPROVED | Buna N, 90 Shore A, SAE/ANSI sizes |
| PTFE SPLIT BACKUP RING (1 EACH) | MISC | Split PTFE backup ring |
| NEIKO 407 Rubber O-Ring Assortment Kit | NEIKO | O-rings, Buna-N, 407 pieces |
| AppliaFit O-Ring And Backup Ring Kit For Hayward SPX0735GA | AppliaFit | Includes O-ring and backup ring kit |
Choosing the right backup ring depends on material compatibility, temperature range, and the number of sizes you need. The following sections profile five practical options, with practical usage notes to help you match the right backup ring to your system.
PTFE Backup Ring Assortment In 36 Sizes
The GRAINGER APPROVED PTFE backup ring assortment provides a broad selection for sealing applications. Contains 325 pieces across 36 sizes, designed to cover common AS568A dash numbers from 005 to 219. Temperature tolerance spans -100 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for a wide range of fluids and environments. The plastic storage box aids organization for field technicians and workshop use. PTFE offers chemical resistance and low friction, contributing to durable seals in aggressive media and high-purity systems.
Buna Backup Ring Assortment Kit
The Buna backup ring assortment from GRAINGER APPROVED focuses on Buna N material, offering 293 pieces across 36 sizes. Temperature range is -40 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and the set includes AS568A dash numbers in varied quantities to fit multiple assemblies. Buna N provides good resistance to oils and fuels, making this kit well-suited for automotive, hydraulic, and water systems. The case with lid helps keep parts organized and ready for field service crews.
PTFE Split Backup Ring (1 Each)
This PTFE split backup ring provides a quick-seal option where a single-piece ring is impractical or where disassembly requires a split form factor. PTFE offers excellent chemical resistance and temperature tolerance, and the split design simplifies installation in tight tolerances or aging glands. Suitable for less flexible applications, it pairs well with standard O-rings to preserve gland integrity and reduce leakage risk in high-purity or corrosive-service lines.
NEIKO Rubber O-Ring Assortment Kit
The NEIKO 407 O-Ring kit provides a broad selection of Buna-N O-rings in 32 SAE sizes and a total of 407 pieces. While primarily an O-ring kit, it complements backup rings by ensuring compatible seals across different fluid media and pressures. The nitrile butadiene rubber construction offers resistance to water, oils, fuels, and many lubricants, making it a practical pairing for automotive, household, and light industrial uses. This kit supports quick repairs and stocked service carts with common sizes.
AppliaFit Backup Ring Kit For Hayward SPX0735GA
The AppliaFit O-Ring and Backup Ring Kit is designed for Hayward SPX0735GA valves, providing a ready-to-use set with O-ring and backup ring combinations. This kit emphasizes compatibility with specific pool equipment components, enabling straightforward replacements and reduced downtime. The included pieces help ensure proper fit within valve housings and contribute to a reliable seal in pool and spa systems where precise tolerances are essential.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
- Material compatibility: PTFE offers broad chemical resistance and temperature tolerance but can be less forgiving in dynamic seals. Buna N delivers good oil resistance and flexibility but has narrower chemical compatibility. Choose based on the fluid media and operating temperature.
- Size range and selection: Kits with 30–36 sizes help cover most AS568A dash numbers. If you maintain diverse equipment, prioritize multi-size assortments to reduce inventory gaps.
- Temperature range: Verify the service temperatures for your application. PTFE backups excel in high temperatures, while Buna N is suitable for moderate environments.
- Split vs solid backups: Split backup rings simplify installation in tight glands and rebuilds, whereas solid backups provide robust, uniform support for standard seals.
- Storage and organization: A labeled case or plastic tackle box helps field crews quickly locate the right size, reducing downtime during maintenance.
- Package completeness: Some kits include O-rings alongside backup rings, which is convenient for bundled maintenance but assess if you need dedicated backup rings or a general O-ring set.
- Standards and compatibility: Check AS568A dash numbers and vendor specifications to ensure you’re selecting rings that match your equipment and gland dimensions.
For best results, audit your sealing needs by noting typical media, pressures, temperatures, and equipment types. Maintain a mix of PTFE and Buna backup rings to address diverse service conditions, and keep split rings handy for difficult assemblies. When possible, pair backup rings with compatible O-rings that share identical elastomer families to minimize gasket creep and leakage over time.