Specialty seals come in all shapes and sizes, and they are sought after for a variety of different functions. Each seal is highly specified, built to last through all of your hydraulics and machinery. But even seals can fail every so often. At Real Seal, our pros want to know the same thing: Why exactly do seals fail?

From the common causes to the not-so-common occurrences, there are several things to be aware of when trying to diagnose a failed seal. This quick guide will help you determine the reason for failure, as well as give you some warning signs so that you know exactly what to look out for in the future.

Wear and Tear

The first important fact to address with specialty seals is expected wear and tear. While everything weakens over time, there are ways to keep your seal strong for as long as possible. It all depends on how often it interacts with the other gears and moving parts of your machinery. If your hydraulics are top-notch and can keep contaminants away from the seal at all times, it will have a much higher chance of surviving over time.

Quality

A note needs to be made about the quality of your seal. Obviously, there are some seals that are invested in higher quality than others, and it all depends on which manufacturer you purchase your seals from. Our Real Seal products are guaranteed to be of the highest quality, from fabrication to function. The quality of your seal, as well as the hydraulic beings putting a heavy load on them, can really make a difference in preventing seal failure.

Spiral Fails

If you have an O-ring seal, you may experience a spiral failure. This happens when the machine moves too fast, causing the O-ring to bend and twist in an unnatural way. This can happen when the machine uses long strokes and maneuvers. If you find yourself in this situation, you can switch to square or x-shaped rings, rather than sticking with the traditional O-ring.

Lack of Proper Installation

Unsurprisingly, installation has a lot to do with the overall performance and longevity of your specialty seals. This is the number one cause of seal failure, and the most common reason for a lack of functionality. It’s integral that a seal be installed properly in order for it to work a long time as intended.

Make sure that you have all of the specialty tools and materials needed to properly install the seal. Each machine is different, and the process for installation can be very different depending on the size and location of the seal grooves, for example.

Compression

Everything folds under pressure eventually when it is compressed. Seals can lose their elasticity over time, causing a low-pressure leak at the site of the seal. This will prevent the entire machine from functioning properly, eventually slowing production time and quality as the breakage goes on unnoticed. The best thing to do in this situation is to find a replacement seal, as repair is costlier and more inefficient.

Invest in Quality Seals for Your Productivity

Our Real Seal pros understand the importance of a high-quality seal. Each of our specialty seals is specifically designed to offer the best in performance, longevity, and utility. If you’re dissatisfied with your current seals or O-rings, our experts would be happy to speak with you about your seal needs. If you’re dealing with a broken seal, make sure to identify the source of the problem right away. For more information, or to make a purchase with us, contact us online today or give us a call at (900) 452-6162 at your earliest convenience.