Things you should know before buying Rubber Oil Seals

When working with rotary shaft equipment, rubber seals play a crucial role in the overall efficiency and longevity of mechanical assemblies. Despite being a small component, the significance of oil seals cannot be underestimated, as their malfunction can lead to major operational issues for manufacturing companies.

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Oil seals serve as barriers that keep lubricants such as oil or grease contained, while also shielding machinery from external contaminants like dirt, dust, and moisture. In the following sections, we will explore the essential aspects of oil seals including their definition, functionality, types, and key factors to consider when making a purchase.

What are Rubber Oil Seals?

Rubber oil seals are components situated between the rotating and non-rotating parts of machinery to prevent damage from moisture and contaminants. Also referred to as rotary shaft seals, grease seals, fluid seals, lip seals, or dirt seals, they are vital for maintaining the integrity of mechanical assemblies.

The primary role of these seals is to maintain the separation of fluids, preventing them from leaking and blocking the entry of harmful materials. Additionally, rubber oil seals safeguard against lubricant leakage, especially under high pressure conditions when machines operate at high speeds.

How Do Rubber Oil Seals Work?

These seals function by keeping a thin layer of lubricant between the shaft and the sealing lip. Attached to the bearing, the lip presses against the rotating shaft while the casing stabilizes the position against the housing.

Oil seals facilitate functionality by making sure lubricants are retained, even in high-pressure environments. When a seal fails, it results in leakage, allowing harmful substances to infiltrate the machinery. Primarily utilized in systems with rotating, oscillating, or reciprocating shafts, such as pumps and pistons, oil seals are integral to the efficient operation of these applications.

A variety of seals are available, including single and double lip oil seals, metal cased, external and internal oriented seals, and spring-energized seals, each catering to specific industrial needs.

Applications of Oil Seals

Oil seals are ubiquitous across various machinery applications, including assembled machines, automotive engines, and PTFE machined components. They prevent detrimental interactions that can lead to part failures and are vital in the assembly of equipment ranging from elevators and conveyor systems to engines and pipelines.

Under high pressure, lubricants are prone to leakage, resulting in friction and wear on the machinery. Oil seals are designed to effectively seal these joints, ensuring optimal performance even under extreme conditions. They exhibit lightweight, compact qualities alongside self-lubricating properties, and are crafted from high-grade materials that resist aging and deformation.

The aerospace industry extensively relies on oil seals for both aviation and space applications. Sujan Industries manufactures a complete range of aircraft rubber components, including O-rings, gaskets, seals, pistons, grommets, washers, and protective barriers. Ensuring the efficiency of aircraft systems, rubber gaskets help exclude dust and air while facilitating the effective operation of critical components.

How to Choose the Right Oil Seal

Selecting the appropriate oil seal is essential for machinery functionality because not all seals are compatible with all operations.

Consider multiple factors when choosing an oil seal for your machinery, including dimensions, operational pressure, temperature range, fluid characteristics, lubricant types, shaft speed, and tolerance levels.

A seal's ability to manage pressure depends on its composition and intended application, so understanding the compression characteristics of your machinery is vital. It’s equally important to know the operating temperature to select a seal that can maintain integrity under those conditions.

Additionally, different types of fluids will interact with oil seals, making knowledge of these fluids essential for selection. While lubricated seals generally perform better, some machines experience dry conditions. For those sourcing oil seals in the aerospace industry or looking for aftermarket supplies, Sujan Industries is a top contender.

Wrapping Up

Oil seals are vital to the functionality of machinery. The right oil seal ensures optimal application performance and a safe working environment for years. With an abundance of rotary shaft seal options, choosing the most suitable can be daunting. Contact us today to consult with one of our professionals and find the ideal seal for your needs.

Commonly known as grease seals, rotary shaft seals, or fluid seals, oil seals are essential in mechanical equipment. Often underestimated due to their size, a failure in these seals can lead to severe operational issues, including costly seal leakages.

Oil seals are crucial in preventing damage across diverse machinery, from assembly machines to car engines. Thus, selecting high-quality oil seals is vital. There are numerous types of oil seals, each designed for different applications.

This article outlines vital factors to consider when selecting oil seals to assist you in making informed decisions.

11 Factors to Consider When Buying Oil Seals

When machinery fails, it can often be attributed to poor installation or the usage of subpar oil seals. Keep the following factors in mind when choosing oil seals:

1. Temperature

The sealing material's temperature range should match that of the installation environment. High-temperature and high-pressure settings necessitate more resistant materials, like Viton. Exposing a seal to temperatures outside its specified range can lead to hardening and cracking of the sealing lip.

2. Material

The material used in oil seals can affect their performance based on their application. Sealing materials may include leather, silicone, synthetic rubber, Viton, nitrile, and polyacrylate. Nitrile is versatile for various applications due to its flexibility and resistance to oils, hot water, and gasoline, though it does not endure extremely high temperatures well. Silicone oil seals are beneficial for reducing friction and wear by absorbing lubricants while boasting a broad temperature tolerance.

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3. Pressure

Understanding the pressure requirements is critical. Standard oil seals are usually designed for low-pressure environments (about 8 psi or less). For high-pressure applications, consider seals specifically engineered for those conditions.

4. Shaft Speed

The seal must be capable of withstanding operational speeds without wearing down or becoming damaged. Consider the maximum allowable shaft speed, runout, material type, fluid characteristics, and alignment to ensure proper sealing performance.

5. Shaft and Bore Tolerances

For optimal sealing effectiveness, the tolerances on the shaft and bore should be minimal. Address factors like vibration, eccentricity, and end play to achieve better sealing results.

6. Concentricity

Alignment of bore and shaft centers is crucial since any misalignment can cause accelerated wear and reduce the lifespan of the oil seal.

7. Runout

Minimizing runout is essential. Variations in rotation centerpoints can stem from issues such as shaft wobble or bearing instability. Over time, these problems could worsen, creating a need for the right kind of oil seal for mitigation.

8. Quality

The quality of oil seals contributes significantly to their longevity. Higher-quality seals typically have longer service lives and can reduce maintenance costs. Purchase from trusted suppliers to ensure you receive durable seals.

9. Shaft Hardness

Seals tend to last longer when installed on shafts with a Rockwell (RC) hardness of 30 or above. For shafts facing abrasive contaminants, opt for seals that can withstand up to RC 60 hardness.

10. Shaft Surface Finish

The sealing efficiency is directly impacted by the condition of the shaft surface finish. Achieving ideal sealing performance is easier when the shafts have been ground or polished without spiral lead marks. If spiral marks exist, they should direct towards the fluid flow upon rotation.

11. Lubricant

Using suitable lubricants enhances the performance of oil seals. Ensure that the lubricant is compatible with the seal's elastomer material and suitable for the operational viscosity. Incompatible lubricants can lead to premature seal wear.

Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant serves as an example of a lubricant that offers exceptional protection through its refined blend of graphite, aluminum, and copper materials.

Choose the Correct Oil Seal for Your Needs

Considering the vast array of sizes, types, and materials of oil seals, determining the right one for your needs can be challenging. Use the outlined factors as a guide during your selection process. For top-quality oil seals, look no further than Simplex, a leading distributor of oil seals as well as premium industrial and engineering components in the Philippines. Visit our shop today to get started!

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