Rotary seals and shaft seals
Rotary seals are made from synthetic elastomers bonded to cases, which is usually metal or mild steel.
Rotary shaft seals are designed to withstand pressure up to 20 bars and temperature up to 260°C (depending on material and compound), making them an ideal solution under very varied conditions for applications such as:
- Machine tools
- Rolling mills
- Pumps and motors
- Robotic arms
- Drilling appliances
- Mixers
- Rotary swivels and unions
It is naturally desirable for efficient sealing that the shaft should run dead true, but in practice, a certain amount of eccentricity must be accepted.
How do Rotary seals work?
The main purpose of rotary seals is to retain bearing lubrication and prevent leakage.
However, special shaft seal types can improve efficiency, by reducing the chance of premature failure. Improvements can be made through:
- Preventing dust and dirt ingress from the outside environments
- Reducing the risk of moisture entering the system
- Cut the frictional load on the rotating shaft/bore which helps reducing operating temperatures.
For these purposes we recommend using a dust ring or V-ring which is designed for these improvements.
Remember, it is primarily brakes and shaft damage that causes seal leakage, which underlines the importance of proper installation.
The lifespan of shaft and rotary seals
Rotary seals have maximum sealing efficiency and the longest working life. However more exact lifetime depends on the temperature and the fluid used.
The local temperature in the sealing edge is the primary determining factor in the definitive lifetime of the lip seals. However, other factors also have an effect, including the:
- Smoothness of the shaft finish
- Size of the shaft diameter, which should be as small as possible
- Speed, which should be as low as possible
- Temperature, which should be as low as possible
- Sealing material - should be chosen based on the application
- Fluid should be a proper lubricant and must be well circulated
- Radial pressure of the lip should be low.
- Heat dispensing properties of the shaft and housing must be good
Contact us today
At M Seals, we take our commitment to provide the best sealing solutions for every industry very seriously. Therefore, we are more than happy to guide you and make sure you get the right products. Whether you need advice on choosing the right seal for your project or more information about our Rotary seals, we are always here to help.