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Introduction

Are you looking to keep your machinery free from any unwanted leakages but aren’t sure which rotary shaft seal is right for your needs? This guide will provide you with everything you need to know in order to select the right one for your application.
Oil seals, which are also known as rotary shaft seals, fluid seals or grease seals, play an important role in closing down the gaps between moving and stationary elements of mechanical equipment.
By preventing lubricants from escaping, they protect key components of machinery from being damaged by leaks of various fluids. Everything from car engines to assembly machines use these oil seals to remain free from any harmful interactions that can cause serious and expensive damage to any of their critical parts.
There are a wide range of oil seals to select from for any number of uses, so this guide will break down the most common seals to help you choose the right one for whatever piece of machinery you are working on.

Detailed Description:

What are rotary shaft seals?

Rotary shaft or oil seals are placed between moving and stationary pieces of machinery to ensure that contaminants, moisture, corrosive materials and abrasives do not damage the various components. They can also prevent unwanted mixing of fluids, including water and oil combining within a machine.

How are Oil Seals made?

First, an elastomer, most often nitrile, is vulcanised to a metal ring. This creates a stiffening effect that includes a specialised metal tension spring directly behind the sealing lip, keeping the oil seal firmly in place against the moving part.

Type of Oil Seal Materials

There are many different materials used to manufacture oil seals.

Nitrile Oil Seals

Designed to absorb lubricants in order to lessen wear and friction, silicone rotary shafts also offer high thermal resistance and a large temperature range. But, they do not handle abrasions well or interact with oxidized oils.

How to Choose the Right Oil Seal?

There are several key factors to consider when you are selecting the oil seals for your next project to ensure that you protect your machinery from immediate and long-term damage.

Pressure

There are several key factors to consider when you are selecting the oil seals for your next project to ensure that you protect your machinery from immediate and long-term damage.

Temperature

Just like pressure, the temperature that your oil seal will be operating in must be known so that you can choose one that can withstand the heat or cold. PTFE have the widest range of temperature, making them useful for machines who can see usage in extreme weather or elements.

Shaft Speed

Considering the speed that the shaft will be moving, the runout, the housing bore and the type of oil being sealed is vital to making sure you select an oil seal that will not suffer from abrasions or spiralling.

Fluid Types

Various oil seals are able to withstand interactions with oils, fuels, grease, water and more. Knowing what type of fluid the rotary shaft seal will be in constant contact with will ensure the longevity of the seal and surrounding components.

Lubricant Amount

Seals will always perform best when lubricated, however in some machines there are more likely to be dry spells. For these cases, selecting a leather or PTFE seal will be beneficial, as both can operate with less lubrication than others.

Find the right Oil Seal for your needs with Simply Seals!

With dozens of specifically-designed oil seals made from a variety of materials, it can be very difficult to understand the best choice for their machinery. That is why our team is always available to assist you with choosing the correct style, material, and size of oil seal for everything from commercial machinery to hobby car building.
Contact us today to make sure that you select the proper rotary shaft seal that will protect your components and lead to a long, healthy life for all of your machines!

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