Metal inserts must be carefully prepared in operations involving cleaning and roughening surfaces (grit-blasting or phosphatizing), stamping out parts, application of primer (usually by dipping), and curing of the primer (often by baking for a short time at moderate temperature).³ Primer curing minimizes the possibility of wiping primer off portions of the insert by stock flow during molding. The treated metal inserts must be used within a relatively short time (usually a day or less), so that functionality necessary for bonding is not lost by reaction with moisture in the air. Freshness of the primer surface is particularly important for peroxide-cured and base-resistant fluoroelastomer compounds. Compound formulation should be adjusted to attain good adhesion.

Early engines used O-rings (also called packing rings or toric joints) as seals (first patented in 1896). These are just mechanical gaskets in the shape of a torus (a circular ring--like a lifesaver), seated in a groove and compressed during assembly between two or more parts. It creates a seal at the interface. However, O-rings require a fluid film to lubricate them. They have limited usefulness in vacuum application and at extremes of temperature. The modern oil seal represents a significant improvement over the simple O-ring because it effectively seals in lubrication and prevents contamination from outside under a wide range of pressures and temperatures.