fibre or rubber washers?

Fred

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Jul 15, 2010, 10:41:32 AM7/15/10

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Hi,

I see Tool station sell rubber and fibre washers:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/Washers+Fixings/Fibre+Washer+/d20/sd2703/p99026
and
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/Washers+Fixings/Rubber+Washer+34/d20/sd2703/p85591

is one better than the other?

My instinct is that rubber would be longer lasting?

TIA

Spike

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Jul 15, 2010, 10:56:18 AM7/15/10

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Fred wrote:
>
> I see Tool station sell rubber and fibre washers:
>

> is one better than the other?
>
> My instinct is that rubber would be longer lasting?

Different materials with different properties for different applications.
It depends what you want to use the washer for.

If there is a lot of clamping pressure on the washer, the fibre washer would
be best. The rubber washer would be extruded and destroyed.

I would expect fibre washers to have the longer life for a given, suitable
application.

--
Spike

The Medway Handyman

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Jul 15, 2010, 1:19:49 PM7/15/10

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Fibre washers are used in tap connectors & some washing machine hoses
because the fibre swells up when wetted & seals better.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Fred

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Jul 15, 2010, 3:16:34 PM7/15/10

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On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:19:49 +0100, "The Medway Handyman"
<davi...@no-spam-blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>Fibre washers are used in tap connectors & some washing machine hoses
>because the fibre swells up when wetted & seals better.

Thanks. I knew than fibre washers like these are used in tap
connectors:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=33600&ts=20980

and ones like these are used in flexible hoses:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=54566&ts=20980

but never knew why until now, thanks for explaining.

BTW I put the links above because I didn't know how else to describe
the two. The O shape of fibre is wider on the second.

I was wondering whether I would need to fit one of the wider (second
link) ones, inside one of these:
https://www.screwfix.com/prods/38542/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Flowflex-Female-Coupler-15mm-x

Is it necessary? Will it weep without one? Or will a good wrap of ptfe
tape make everything ok?

The other reply says rubber will be squashed under compression, so I
guess fibre is always better? I have only seen rubber, never fibre, in
washing machine hoses but then I don't see as many as you do.

Thanks.

NT

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Jul 16, 2010, 11:26:21 AM7/16/10

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On Jul 15, 8:16 pm, Fred <f...@no-email.here.invalid> wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:19:49 +0100, "The Medway Handyman"
>

> <davidl...@no-spam-blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> >Fibre washers are used in tap connectors & some washing machine hoses
> >because the fibre swells up when wetted & seals better.
>
> Thanks. I knew than fibre washers like these are used in tap
> connectors:
>
> http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=33600&ts=20980
>
> and ones like these are used in flexible hoses:http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=54566&ts=20980
>
> but never knew why until now, thanks for explaining.
>
> BTW I put the links above because I didn't know how else to describe
> the two. The O shape of fibre is wider on the second.
>
> I was wondering whether I would need to fit one of the wider (second

> link) ones, inside one of these:https://www.screwfix.com/prods/38542/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Fl...

>
> Is it necessary? Will it weep without one? Or will a good wrap of ptfe
> tape make everything ok?
>
> The other reply says rubber will be squashed under compression, so I
> guess fibre is always better? I have only seen rubber, never fibre, in
> washing machine hoses but then I don't see as many as you do.
>
> Thanks.

Last year I think it was I fitted a replacement fibre washer to a
dripping plumbing connection, and despite repeated attempts with gloop
and a few different washers it simply would not seal. I was far from
confident that a rubber one would be strong enough, but by now was
willing to try it. Worked perfectly first time. So don't get too hung
up on what you 'should' use, its best to have both in stock.

NT

The Medway Handyman

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Jul 17, 2010, 9:29:36 AM7/17/10

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Fred wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:19:49 +0100, "The Medway Handyman"
> <davi...@no-spam-blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Fibre washers are used in tap connectors & some washing machine hoses
>> because the fibre swells up when wetted & seals better.
>
> Thanks. I knew than fibre washers like these are used in tap
> connectors:
>
> http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=33600&ts=20980
>
> and ones like these are used in flexible hoses:
> http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=54566&ts=20980
>
> but never knew why until now, thanks for explaining.
>
> BTW I put the links above because I didn't know how else to describe
> the two. The O shape of fibre is wider on the second.
>
> I was wondering whether I would need to fit one of the wider (second
> link) ones, inside one of these:
> https://www.screwfix.com/prods/38542/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Flowflex-Female-Coupler-15mm-x
>
> Is it necessary? Will it weep without one? Or will a good wrap of ptfe
> tape make everything ok?

I reckon it would need one.

>
> The other reply says rubber will be squashed under compression, so I
> guess fibre is always better? I have only seen rubber, never fibre, in
> washing machine hoses but then I don't see as many as you do.

Most WMH have rubber, but some have fibre. I carry both & replace like for
like.

Fred

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Jul 18, 2010, 10:10:31 AM7/18/10

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On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:29:36 +0100, "The Medway Handyman"
<davi...@no-spam-blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> I carry both

Just as NT said. If it's good enough for the two of you, that's what I
will do also. Thanks.