Also known as a Rotary Shaft Seal, Shaft Seal, Lip Seal, Elastomeric Lip Seal or any variation of these. It is a simple device for excluding dust, dirt, water or any other contaminant whilst retaining lubricant in rotary shaft equipment. Generally, it has been developed as a means of protecting the bearings of rotating shafts.
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In this blog, we attempt to highlight what are Oil Seals and the various Rotary Shaft Seals including Mechanical Face Seals, Water Pump Seals, Gland Packings, and V-Seals that are readily available.
The basic principle of sealing is straightforward &#; the flexible lip is held against the rotating part (usually the shaft) whilst the casing (or O.D.) is pressed into the housing or bore and holds the seal in place. The sealing lip needs some form of lubrication to avoid overheating and is usually energized by means of a garter spring.
Many &#; too numerous to list, covering a vast range of designs, sizes, and materials suitable for a never-ending range of applications. Some designs conform to International Standards such as BS and DIN for metric sizes and seal types, but the majority have been manufactured to suit particular applications &#; hence the enormous selection available. This blog is intended to assist in this selection and will consider seal type, materials, and sizes.
The simplest way is to know either the preferred manufacturers part number, the overall sizes of shaft diameter, housing diameter and bore depth, or use our brochure to establish the M Barnwell Services ordering reference. Many of the old traditional names of seal manufacturers have either changed or disappeared in this age of &#;acquisitions&#;. If no longer available, we will advise you and offer a suitable alternative seal, from stock whenever possible. If your concern is getting the right seals for the job, you will need to know something about the application as well as the overall sizes. If you have any doubts &#; contact us, we will help in your seal selection.
Leather is probably the oldest of the lip materials still in common use, but the move towards mass production methods has seen a massive increase in the development of synthetic rubbers which lend themselves to accurate and repeatable injection and compression moulding. Nitrile (NBR) is still by far the most common elastomer for &#;normal&#; use, whilst Viton® (FKM/FPM) is rapidly replacing Polyacrylate (ACM) and Silicone (VMQ) for high-temperature applications. Viton® also has high resistance to abrasion and chemical attack making it a preferred elastomer. Recent developments in the use of PTFE for Rotary shaft seals has caused widespread interest particularly for high-speed shaft rotation or poor lubrication applications.
Once you have selected the most suitable seal available, considering the environment, temperature, shaft speed, pressure, lubrication availability, as well as the size, of course, the seal should be stored adequately and then fitted properly. Here are a few suggestions that could help:-
There is a British Standard laid down for the control of synthetic rubbers. BS () helps to determine shelf life &#; for instance, Nitrile (NBR) and Polyacrylic (ACM) are Group &#;B&#; rubbers and have a 7-year life, whilst Silicone (VMQ) and Fluoroelastomers (Viton®) are Group &#;C&#; rubbers and have a 10-year shelf life. PTFE and Leather do not come into this category but like the others should be kept in the original packing for as long as possible away from direct light, dust, and humidity. Ozone, which can also be produced by battery-driven forklift trucks has a very bad effect on synthetic rubbers. Finally, protect the sealing lip &#; DO NOT hang the seals on nails, wire etc.
If the seal is being fitted to original equipment you may have some influence over the shaft and housing bore finish, but if you are replacing a worn seal you still need to take into account the condition of these 2 essential parts. Check for sharp edges and burrs &#; particularly on the shaft and housing chamfers or you could ruin the seal before you start up. If the shaft is too worn consider using an M Barnwell Services Shaft Repair Kit.
For more information on the characteristics of Oil Seals click on some of the links below:
An oil seal, also known as crankshaft retainer, is a small device, but essential to ensure the proper engine operation. It plays a key role in all moving parts of an engine, acting as a physical barrier. This mechanical seal fulfils the dual purpose of sealing a rotary shaft to maintain the necessary lubrication (avoiding leaks) and preventing other foreign matter from contaminating shafts and bearings in the rotary shaft equipment.
It is generally used in the union of two lubricated parts, so that it hermetically seals both sides. Therefore, it guarantees the proper engine operation and helps to maintain the vehicle&#;s distribution system in better condition.
Several variables must be considered when selecting oil seals. The physical dimensions and materials will vary depending on the environment of use. In addition, oil seals must remain lightweight, compact, and exhibit high self-lubrication performance.
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Most oil seals consist of some basic elements that configure their structure, such as the sealing element, the metal case, and the spring:
Operating conditions such as the engine&#;s temperature, position, size, pressure and shaft speed largely determine which individual oil seal composition is most suitable for every individual application.
Some aspects to consider when selecting this component are:
Like any element of the engine, oil seals are subject to wear. Over time they can lead to possible leaks of lubricating liquid.
Among the most common causes of oil seal failure are:
Finding oil spots under a parked vehicle can be both worrying and stressful for any vehicle owner. If the seal&#;s leak is small, oil may start to accumulate on the underside of the engine. But as the leak gets bigger, the oil leak will become visible in the front side of the engine.
Wear and oil loss remains two of the most frequent signs of engine seal failure and, if not paid attention to, it can give rise to a breakdown in the vehicle&#;s system. Regular maintenance and routine oil changes minimize the issues associated with oil seals and potential oil loss.
Keep reading: Effective lubrication, key factor of the chain
Oil seals included in the Dolz timing chain kits are lightweight, high-precision seals with wear resistance and made from the highest quality materials.
It is recommended to replace all timing elements in a single operation, ensuring an optimal coupling of the components and thus avoiding premature aging and possible future engine failure.
At Dolz we put our almost 90 years of knowledge and experience at your service to provide you with an optimal replacement of your components.
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