Seals are a part of our every day lives whether we realize it or not. There are seals around the windows in our homes and cars, around our doors and hundreds of other seals that we never think about or see. Read on to learn what types of specialty seals are available.

Hydraulic Seals

These types of seals are defined as non-metallic and can stand a wide temperature range with little maintenance. Hydraulic seals are most often used as a barrier between fluids in a reciprocating motion application, like a piston found in a car. These parts can be static or dynamic. A static seal does not move but is found in a groove or other confined space. A dynamic seal is exposed to movement and moves itself.

O-Rings

An O-Ring is one of the most useful and common seals used today. This type of seal acts as a gasket in the shape of what is called a torus. A torus is a loop of plastic with a disc shaped cross section set into a groove and compressed between two or more parts. It prevents leaking if the stress is within its range. It cannot withstand extreme temperatures.

Bearings and Seals

Typically composed of many parts, bearings allow objects to keep working while withstanding each other. They are a flexible seal and are packed with grease or oil as a lubricant. They are often used between metal surfaces and can create a fluid barrier, so metal can keep revolving without rubbing another piece of metal.

Rubber Seals

These seals are used for a variety of applications because of the different compounds and properties of rubber. The most common use of rubber seals is to create air tight spaces, such as the cap of a jar of jam or your car door. Silicone rubber is an extremely stable compound of rubber that can withstand extreme temperatures while remaining functional. Silicone rubber is generally used for home repair and hardware, as well as food storage products. Natural rubber is also used for sealants because of its elastic nature and high resistance to tearing.

The Real Seal

Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seals and mechanical component goods, with a focus on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry, maintaining a fully equipped laboratory, full-time chemist and technical staff, allowing Real Seal the ability to assist with design challenges and formulate materials to meet specific criteria.

Known for their expertise in polyurethane materials, Real Seal offers a wide array of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. Real Seal is set up to meet the needs of the more fragmenting aspects of the industry. Industrial manufacturers are being asked to offer consumers more choices with a wider latitude of performance criteria, all with greater economic constraints. As the industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of consumers as well as the challenges of international competition, Real Seal will continue to provide practical solutions and value to our customers.

If you are looking for specialty seals, contact Real Seal today for help in meeting your composite sealing demands.

During auto repairs, gas and exhaust leaks are costly and frustrating problems that arise quite frequently. To fix any leaks that happen in your engine or pipes, gasket seals are used to effectively tighten and close the area that is experiencing leakage. However, if the gasket seals are not placed precisely or installed tightly enough, the problem will continue, making more repairs necessary. To avoid this frustration and extra cost of a second repair, Real Seal has a comprehensive guide to show how you can better your gasket seals for a high-quality repair that will last for miles.

Finding the Correct Sealant

Often the most obvious problem happens when customers and repair men do not read the specific seal labels or do not follow every step of the instructions. To avoid this minor but costly frustration, make sure you are shopping for the sealant that will fix your exact leak problem. Read the full set of instructions and applicable uses before purchasing or using on your leaks. Following through with this simple step is an easy process that will save you time and money in the future.

Use Caution when Cleaning

When you’re preparing the two surfaces that are about to bond, be mindful to avoid causing any new or worse scratches, dents or punctures. Abrasive metal scrapers are not the only product that can get your gaskets cleaned and they could end up causing more damage and more leaking potential if you press too hard or scrape over existing punctures. Any form of scraping product used to clean is a risk on the existing structure, so be gentle throughout your entire cleaning process to avoid new damages.

Read up on the Specifics

Whether you’re binding engine leaks or pipe leaks, every car, brand and piece of equipment is made differently. Reading up on current models and specifics can only help you throughout the binding process. Metal types and parts models change seasonally and a bond you’ve used for other leaks may not be the right choice for the new repair you are trying to fix. It is also important to know which gasket seal you should be utilizing in every situation. If you are unsure of the kind of seal you need for your metal and part type, or you want to know what seals have been shown to work the best, check out our gasket seals guide and read through the options. Failure to use the correct type of gasket seal can mean that your leak fix will not hold, and your repair will only last for a short period of time. Avoid future stress, frustration and extra repair costs by doing a little homework into the parts and gasket seals before you begin work.

Prep the Parts

Another common problem with gasket seals that don’t last is a failure to effectively prep the work area. There are several pre-emptive steps available to ensure that the seal to hold up over a long period of time. Effectively cleaning both bonding surfaces is a necessary and time saving process that will allow for a seal to grab on to the organic metal and not a coating of grease or dirt build up. If the surfaces are not cleaned properly, the gasket seals are unable to bind effectively and will malfunction quickly. When installing gasket seals, you can also use lubricant products such as Vaseline to help the gasket stay in the correct place during the repair and to also aid in allowing the installation to slide in easier when you are ready to bind.

If you’re beginning a gasket seal repair and need the help of quality professionals and products, Real Seal is here to help you find what you’re looking for and answer any of your sealant questions.