| Application fit | Ability to match the seal to the fluid or gas, pressure, temperature, motion, surface finish, and installation method. | Provide the operating envelope and ask for a written material and design recommendation. Check compatibility against a recognized chemical-resistance reference and validate critical applications with testing. | 15% |
| Material expertise | Availability and documented control of suitable elastomers, such as NBR, EPDM, FKM, and silicone, as well as any requested compound-specific properties. | Request compound identification, hardness, relevant test data, and batch traceability. Confirm that the proposed grade—not only the generic polymer family—fits the service conditions. | 15% |
| Dimensional capability | Ability to manufacture the specified cross-section, inside diameter, profile, and tolerances consistently. | Compare inspection results with the drawing and the applicable dimensional standard. For O-rings, ask whether ISO 3601 requirements apply to the requested size and application; do not assume one tolerance fits every design. | 15% |
| Quality management | Documented process controls for mixing or compound sourcing, molding, curing, finishing, inspection, and nonconforming-product handling. | Review the current quality-management certificate and its scope, request a sample inspection report, and ask how corrective actions and process changes are recorded. | 15% |
| Testing and validation | Testing appropriate to the application, which may include hardness, tensile properties, compression set, dimensional inspection, or fluid exposure. | Ask for test methods, acceptance criteria, sample size, and results linked to the supplied batch. Confirm that test conditions represent the intended service rather than relying on generic material claims. | 10% |
| Traceability and documentation | Clear identification of material, production batch, inspection status, and any customer-specific requirements. | Request sample certificates of conformity, material declarations, batch records, and change-notification procedures. Check that documents can be matched to product labels and purchase orders. | 10% |
| Sampling and customization | Support for prototypes, custom profiles, tooling, and controlled transition from samples to production. | Confirm sample lead time, tooling ownership and maintenance terms, drawing revision control, and how first-article approval is handled. | 8% |
| Capacity and delivery | Ability to meet forecast demand, manage replenishment, and communicate realistic production and shipping lead times. | Request lead times for samples and repeat orders, minimum order quantities, capacity-planning details, and the process for notifying buyers about delays. | 7% |
| Packaging and export readiness | Protection from contamination, deformation, and mix-ups during storage and international transport. | Specify packaging, labeling, quantity per pack, shipping terms, and required export documents. Confirm storage guidance for the selected material and product. | 5% |