Piston rings for compressors
High-performance sealing solutions for efficient and long-lasting compressor applications
- Excellent sliding properties for reduced friction and wear
- High chemical and thermal resistance for demanding operating conditions
- Customized solutions based on proven materials and technologies
Piston rings for compressors – Functions, requirements and materials
Piston rings play a central role in compressors, ensuring high efficiency, impermeability, and operational reliability. They reliably seal off the compression chamber, minimize friction and wear, and are specifically designed for dry operation - without the need for additional lubrication. ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics offers solutions made from high-performance plastics such as Polytetraflon®-PTFE,, MoldflonTM fluorthermoplastics, and Elringplast Non-PFAS materials with precisely tailored filler contents to ensure a long service life for components and low-maintenance compressor systems.
Reliable seal in the compression process
Our piston rings ensure a reliable seal between the piston and cylinder, enabling consistent pressure conditions and high efficiency in the compressor.
Reduced friction and minimal wear
The excellent sliding properties of our high-performance plastics minimize friction, thereby significantly extending the service life of the components.
Solutions for demanding operating conditions
Our materials and compounds offer high resistance to chemicals and temperatures ranging from –200 °C to +260 °C for demanding industrial applications.
Challenges with compressor piston rings
Compressor applications place high demands on piston rings. Wear, friction and aggressive media can have a decisive impact on capability and service life.
High friction during continuous operation
Increased friction leads to energy losses, rising temperatures and accelerated wear.
Wear due to mechanical stress
Dynamic stress and pressure fluctuations stress compressor piston rings continuously and shorten their service life.
Chemically aggressive media
Contact with gases or chemicals can corrode materials and impair sealing performance.
Temperature-induced material deformation
High temperatures cause expansion or deformation and affect functional safety.
Insufficient impermeability
Leaky systems reduce efficiency, which can lead to a significant loss of power and, consequently, a negative environmental impact.
Limited material selection
Standard materials quickly reach their performance limits in demanding applications.
High-performance piston rings for demanding compressor applications
Materials and technologies from ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics enable targeted solutions to key challenges. This allows for the sustainable scaling of compressor efficiency and service life.
Minimized friction through high-performance plastics
Materials such as Polytetraflon®-PTFE, with precisely tailored filler content, have an exceptionally low coefficient of friction and operate without a stick-slip effect. This reduces friction losses, lowers temperatures, and minimizes wear-ensuring efficient and long-lasting operation in piston compressors.
High resistance for maximum operational reliability
Our compressor piston rings made of high-performance plastics offer excellent chemical resistance to virtually all gaseous, liquid, solid media, as well as thermal resistance ranging from –200 °C to +260 °C. In addition, they feature aging resistance and high strain, which enables trouble-free assembly on one-piece pistons.
Customized solutions for specific requirements
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics acts as a development partner and works with you to develop custom-made components. From requirements analysis through prototype production to series production, we create solutions that are precisely tailored to your application.
Request custom piston rings for your compressor application
- Development of customer-specific solutions for maximum capability
- High-performance plastics for maximum reliability and long service life
- Technical advice and implementation by an experienced team of experts
Types
Piston ring with gas-tight joint
The piston ring with a gas-tight joint provides excellent sealing performance. The special design of the joint minimizes leakage. The differential pressure is limited to a maximum of 15 bar. To ensure optimal sealing performance, the piston ring must be installed in the correct pressure direction during assembly.
Piston ring with overlapped joint
The piston ring with an overlapping joint provides excellent sealing performance and is particularly well-suited for sealing specific light gases. Due to the bending stress that occurs and the associated risk of breakage at the overlaps, piston rings with this joint design should be used in compressors with pressure differentials of up to 15 bar.
Piston ring with scarf joint
The piston ring with a scarf joint is used to seal against pressure differentials exceeding 15 bar. This joint design provides particularly good sealing performance during the break-in period.
Piston ring with straight joint
The piston ring with straight joint is used in particular in sealing systems for very high pressures above 15 bar. Several sealing elements arranged in series can gradually reduce high pressures.
Complete piston
The complete piston consists of a metal piston - usually made of aluminum alloys -with a permanently bonded high-performance sliding surface for maximum smoothness and efficiency. It is custom-designed according to the specific application parameters and supplied together with a matching piston ring.
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics – Your partner for high-performance plastics
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics GmbH is a globally active technology partner for products made from high-performance plastics. As an experienced processor of high-performance materials with deep expertise in PTFE, we develop customized solutions for demanding applications across a wide range of industries. Our expertise spans from material selection and compounding to finished components or complete assemblies. Our customers benefit from a development partner that creates customized solutions - from the initial idea through the prototyping phase to series production. This is how high-capability components - such as piston rings for compressors - are created, meeting the most stringent requirements for impermeability, efficiency, and service life. Certified processes - including those compliant with automotive and medical standards - as well as international production sites ensure the highest quality standards and a reliable supply.
Buy compressor piston rings now and have them optimally designed
- Customized design for specific operating conditions and applications
- Specific material selection for high-capability and durable solutions
- Efficient project management from development through series production
Manufacturing expertise and quality assurance for piston rings
The quality of piston rings in compressors depends largely on precise manufacturing processes and consistent quality assurance. Tight tolerances, reproducible material properties, and consistently high surface quality are crucial for proper function within the compressor. Particular emphasis is placed on the processing and further development of high-performance plastics - from compounding to the finished component. ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics relies on modern manufacturing technologies and comprehensive testing methods to ensure consistently high product quality. From material selection through machining to final inspection, every step is monitored and documented. Certified processes ensure transparency and safety. This results in piston rings for compressors that operate reliably even under demanding conditions and guarantee stable, long-term performance.
Increased efficiency and sustainable optimization of operating costs
In addition to technical capability, economic factors also play a central role when it comes to selecting piston rings for compressors. The use of high-performance plastics reduces friction losses and extends maintenance intervals. This has a direct impact on operating costs and plant availability. Durable components minimize downtime and reduce the need for replacements. Furthermore, optimized sealing systems contribute to energy-efficient operation of engines and machines. For your company, this means a sustainable improvement in overall cost-effectiveness. Piston rings for compressors that are precisely tailored to the application thus make a decisive contribution to increasing efficiency throughout the entire life cycle. Thanks to international production sites, projects can also be implemented flexibly and with a strong focus on customer needs.
