Rotary shaft seals are the more formal name for this type of seal; however, we also know them as oil, grease, fluid, or dirt seals.
Whatever you call them however, they all perform the same function – to close the space between stationary and moving parts in machinery and specific equipment and applications.
Of course, the primary aim of seals and gaskets is to prevent various types and volumes of liquids and gases from escaping as well as stopping potentially harmful elements from getting into equipment and machinery, having disastrous consequences.
Rotary-shaft seals are no exception.
A required component in almost all types of vehicles and heavy-duty machinery, this type of seal also prevents leaks from occurring on precision bearings, making them suitable for sealing fluids on various speeds of rotating shafts.
Rotary Shaft Seals UK
Rotary shafts are the optimal choice for machinery as this particular type of seal prevents abrasives, corrosive moisture, and other harmful substances from getting into the mechanics and causing further complications.
What’s more, they can also prevent lubricating oil and water from mixing, which can be a significant benefit.
The manufacturing process for the creation of rotary shaft seals involves vulcanising an elastomer (the most common elastomer in this type of seal is Nitrile; however, other rubber forms such as Viton, silicone, and EPDM are also available) to a metal ring, with tension behind the sealing lip.
Due to the makeup of this type of seal, you will find various designs of rotary shaft seals available (make sure to check out our post on Oil Seal Types).
Suitability
As previously mentioned, rotary seals are most commonly found in vehicles and machinery, making them an everyday component for those operating in the automotive, manufacturing, and highway industries.
Suitable for specific applications such as:
- Oil seals
- Pumps
- Heavy-duty gearboxes
- Rolling mills
- Electric motors
- Bearing sets
- Turbines
- Metal casings
- And more.
A word of caution: sealing can be affected by numerous factors, including shaft rotational direction and speed, operating temperature, application hardware, external elements and exposure, operating pressure, etc.
This makes it essential that you choose the right profile to achieve the best outcome, ensuring your rotary shaft seal functions at its most optimal level, preventing leaks, and extending the lifespan of the application.
Rotary Shaft Oil Seals
As one of the most popular sealing products, oil seals are the most popular in the market. Suitable for use on numerous applications and machinery, this type of seal comes in a standard design that includes a sealing lip with an outer jacket and a metal insert.
Other types of rotary shaft seals you may come across include:
Fabric seals – this type of rotary shaft seal goes slightly further than the standard design to support heavy-duty appliances and equipment. This makes this type of seal extremely robust, with a rubber sealing lip and an outer rubber jacket with a fabric reinforcement. The dimensions and properties of fabric seals differ considerably from standard oil seals, and you should bear this in mind when choosing the correct seal and gasket for your application.
Cassette seals – when the shaft or bearing is exposed to extreme contamination, a cassette seal is your best option. Found on wheel axles, tractors, construction, and agricultural vehicles, cassette seals have many sealing lips (single and double) to help provide the right level of protection against external influences.
PTFE lip seals – identical to standard oil seals in their design and function but made of different materials, this seal has a metal housing containing a PTFE sealing lip. Due to its makeup, this seal is highly resistant to high temperatures and high rotational speeds. It is also self-lubricating, making it suitable for dry-running applications – a popular choice for the food industry.
V rings and alpha seals – this type of seal is often used alongside oil seals to provide additional protection from dust and dirt as it contains a double lip. The seal itself is made from rubber, with the housing often manufactured from stainless steel. Double lip seals are used as an added line of defence against all forms of contamination, with various sizes and designs available to suit varying shaft spaces.
Shaft repair sleeves – not a permanent sealing solution, but one that can save you time and expense in the short term. We use shaft repair sleeves when overhauling the entire shaft is simply not a viable option. In these instances, the sleeve slides over the existing shaft, allowing it to continue to function to a high degree.
Seals and Gaskets
From standard rotary shaft seals to custom-made oil seals, our team is on hand to help you with all of your sealing requirements.
Fill in our contact form with further information, and we’ll find the most suitable solution for your application.
Call 01535 274 776 Email sales@specialistsealingproducts.co.uk
