A Guide to Selecting Oil Seals for Your Application
An oil seal is a type of seal used in various industrial equipment to close the gap between its moving and non-moving parts. These oil seals help prevent the leakage of lubricant under high pressure and stop foreign objects from entering the machine. Playing such an important role, these oil seals must be carefully selected.
An contact usis a type of seal used in various industrial equipment to close the gap between its moving and non-moving parts. These oil seals help prevent the leakage of lubricant under high pressure and stop foreign objects from entering the machine. Playing such an important role, these oil seals must be carefully selected. This article discusses the types of oil seals and guides you through the important factors in selecting the right oil seal for your industry.
Materials of Oil Seals
There are a variety of seals to choose from, depending on the type of material. Some types of oil seals are as follows.
Rubber oil seals
Rubber seals are the most common type of sealing solution and are suitable for tight seals. Rubber seals are corrosion resistant and can be used in both high and low pressure applications. Buna N, polyacrylate, silicone and PTFE are a few common types of rubber materials used for this purpose.
Metal Housing Oil Seals
These seals have a stamped metal housing and an elastomer bonded sealing lip. Carbon steel is the metal used to make the case. The housing protects the lip seal during installation. Metal housing seals are typically used in high pressure or high temperature applications.
Leather oil seals
These seals have good operating properties and are typically preferred for abrasive applications. Seals are typically used on shafts with higher surface roughness than rubber seals.
Considerations
With the wide variety of seals available, selecting the right seal for your application can be a daunting task. The following factors will help in making the right choice.
Lubricant
If you choose lubricated seals, make sure they are continuously lubricated with an oil that has the viscosity required for the application and that the lubricant is compatible with the elastomeric material of the seal.
Shaft Finishing
A good shaft surface finish provides a very effective oil seal. Ground or polished shafts with concentric finish marks provide the best possible seal and prevent leakage even during shaft rotation. It is therefore important to ensure that shaft finishes are well maintained.
Shaft and bore tolerances
Seals must be strong enough to withstand the pressures and vibrations caused by shafts and bores. The authenticity of metal and elastomeric materials makes shaft and bore tolerances possible. Therefore, before purchasing a seal, check that the material meets these requirements.
Shaft hardness
The life expectancy of a seal is measured by the hardness of its shaft. Shafts must have a Rockwell hardness of 30 or higher. This RC hardness protects the seal from damage when it is exposed to abrasive contaminants or high pressures. Therefore, it is an essential factor.
Temperature
The process temperature should not exceed the temperature of the seal elastomer. Any increase or decrease in temperature may affect the sealing ability of the seal. Therefore, this is an important point to consider.
Pressure
Most seals are designed for applications that may withstand pressures as low as 8 psi. However, if they are subjected to even very low pressures, it is important to ensure pressure relief.
Shaft Speed
Shaft speed depends on many factors, including shaft finish, concentricity, type of fluid being transferred, and type of seal material. Therefore, each of these factors must be considered to achieve maximum shaft speed.
OIL SEAL KIT FOR MOTORCYCLE
In addition to these factors, it is important to source high quality seals from a trusted manufacturer. ingseal provides high quality oil seals for automotive, oil and energy, and other industrial applications. Please contact us for a quote and we offer excellent after-sales service.