Sealants are necessary in a variety of different facets of life to ensure the preservation of certain products or machinery. This is because sealant are substances that essentially block the passage of fluids or air through the surface, joints, or opening in certain materials, machinery, or piping. There are a wide variety of sealants depending on your needs. If you have heard of hermetic sealing and wondered, what is hermetic sealing, you are in the right place. Below you will find more information on what hermetic sealing is, it’s historical evolution, and what it is used for.
What is Hermetic Sealing?
Hermetic sealing is essentially a watertight and airtight sealant. The process of creating an airtight seal can be done with plastics, epoxy resins, glass, metals, and ceramics. The difference in the types of hermetic seals depends on the application, the materials used, and actual process behind it. There are many ways to make and apply a hermetic seal. However, consulting with a professional can help ensure your project will be successful.
The History of Hermetic Seals
In very early alchemy, the first hermetic seal was an airtight glass tube. It was known as the Seal of Hermes. The process of hermetic sealing was named after Hermes and “hermetic traditions. Hermes was a Greek God, and hermetic traditions were what gave rise to alchemical experimentation. Despite the original hermetic seal being glass, as mentioned above, many materials and applications can be used to create the hermetic seal modernly.
Modern Hermetic Sealant Uses
There are a wide variety of uses for hermetic seals. This is because contact with water and air can damage certain things. Whether it’s a sensitive electrical connection or even food preservation, hermetic sealants essentially protect from the intrusion of air and water. Below are some of the common examples hermetic seals are used for.
Semiconductors: These can be damaged if they get connected to water or even water vapor. It is vital to ensure they are carefully sealed and protected.
Electronics: Almost any electronic device can be impacted by water. It is important to keep them protected as they are often expensive and can be crucial to certain industries. For example, cell phones, medical equipment, and computers. These all prove examples of electronics that cannot come into contact with water without issue. Hermetic seals can protect electronics and ensure they last longer.
Foods: Canned foods require a hermetic seal in order to be preserved. Without it, they will have a very short shelf life and quickly deteriorate. Vacuum seal kitchen gadgets are also beneficial in ensuring that food lasts longer.
Common Home Items: Thing such as lightbulbs, eco-friendly windows, and your thermostat are all hermetic seals. Everyday items in your house even! In addition, batteries, your television, and home computer all require hermetic seals to remain long-lasting products.
Specialty Seals
Seals remain integral to the successful function of many large and small items. So it proves crucial to have the proper seal for the job that needs doing. The pros at Real Seal remain skilled in hermetic seals and determining what works best for your unique needs. Real Seal exists as a manufacturer and distributor of seal products, mechanical component goods, and specialty seals.
Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions. All for sealing and mechanical applications. They rank as one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry. So Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact the top seal manufacturer today with any questions you have related to your sealing needs.
Just like on earth, seals and sealant-related products are used in outer space. In fact, due to the dangers that come with space travel, it’s likely even more important to have reliable mechanical systems due to the potential volatility and hostility of the environment. When a spacecraft is launched off of earth and into space it requires a wide variety of features, specifications, and equipment to keep the crew safe, keep the spacecraft intact, and maintain communication systems. You may wonder what kind of seals are used in space to ensure all of this happens as it is a much different environment than planet earth. Below you will find more information on seals and how they effectively operate in space.
Space Malfunctions
The importance of sealants in space is clear as destruction can occur without them. In fact, several major, life-altering issues have arisen due to equipment malfunctions. A 1995 electrical issue could have taken out the Columbia space shuttle. Just five seconds after liftoff an electrical short circuit caused the controllers in the main engines to malfunction. Even worse, in 1972, an electrical malfunction happened on a NASA jet which caused the loss of instrumentation during a bout of bad weather. This resulted in the astronaut ejecting himself from the aircraft.
While technology has advanced since the 1970s and 1990s, there is still a lot of room for error. This is why having proper safety equipment, seals, and functioning is vital both on earth and in space. NASA is well-versed in space-related sealants in order to ensure safety protocols are met.
What Kind of Seals Are Used in Space?
In order to meet the electronic requirements necessary to fully function in space, manufacturers have created special connectors that have been made specifically for the elements in space. The special connectors are much different as compared to those on earth as both environments are vastly different. With that, the connectors in space are a reduced weight and size. This is to account for the environmental differences.
The connects are referred to as hermetically-sealed connectors. They have unique flex pin gold-plated contacts that are both polarized and coated with liquid crystal polymer insulators. The housing alignment system and pin-to-socket durability is what differentiates these in terms of their ability to be used effectively in space. The connectors can be surface-mounted, through-hold varieties, and even flex tails are available for flex circuit use. NASA has specific instructions on the evaluation and qualification of parts for use in the space programs. Space-grade connectors, such as the hermetically-sealed connectors, are similar to military-grade connectors. With the space program becoming more and more sophisticated as technology advances, adjustments have been made to ensure that these are as close to fail-proof as possible.
Specialty Seals
Seals are integral to the successful function of mechanical equipment and other important electrical systems in space. So it’s crucial to have the proper seal for the job that needs to be done. The pros at Real Seal are skilled in mechanical seals and determining what’s best for your unique needs. Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products, mechanical component goods, and specialty seals.
Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact the top seal manufacturer today with any questions you have related to your sealing needs.
Leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home, in addition to wasting water, time, and money. This can lead to major health issues as unwanted organic growth can make you and your whole family sick. The difficult aspect about home leaks is that you likely won’t know when it has formed. This means that you need to protect your home by checking your pipes regularly to ensure they are in good shape. It’s important to know what causes household leaks so you can prevent them. Below are the most common causes of household leaks.
Most Common Causes of Household Leaks
Piping specialists have determined the most common causes of leaks in your home. Be sure and check your home piping so you don’t experience any of the following.
Broken Seals: Seals are often put around all of your water connectors at the time your appliances were installed. However, seals can be found all over your home and garage for a variety of reasons. Due to the sheer fact of time those seals may weaken, wear out, or break. Look for condensation around your appliances and their respective seals, as this can be an indicator of a broken seal. If you find puddles of water around them, then it is most definitely a broken seal.
Corrosion: Depending on how old your pipes are, they could be susceptible to corrosion. This is especially true if your pipes have an older plumbing system as they are at a much higher risk for corrosion as compared to more modern plumbing system models. If you notice discoloration or warping in your pipes, it’s time to call a piping specialist.
Clogged Drains: While a clogged drain is definitely annoying, some clogs can lead to major damage. A clogged drain can overflow into your home and even burst your pipes. In the meantime, you should keep your HVAC systems and gutters clear to prevent serious damage. However, if you notice a clog, it’s best to address it as soon as possible.
Three More Causes
Increased Water Pressure: Uneven or excessive water pressure can put extra stress on your pipes. This can cause leaks as pipes are only built to withstand a certain amount of pressure. A piping specialist can help alleviate the issue by measuring your water pressure.
Pipe Joint Damage: The spots where your pipes connect are called joints. They are often the weakest point in your piping system. As time passes, your pipe joints can cause leaks due to deterioration. When this happens, you’ll likely hear a ticking or banging noise when you turn on the hot water. This needs to be fixed quickly due to the potential damage it could cause.
Temperature Changes: Rapid temperature changes can cause major household leaks. This is because extreme temperature changes can cause your pipes to quickly expand and contract. The rapid change causes cracks in your pipes and can lead to major leakage.
Real Seal Specialty Seals
The pros at Real Seal are skilled in specialty seals and can help you determine what’s best for your home. Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. The Real Seal specialty seals are the best on the market and do not disappoint. Contact the best seal manufacturer today with any questions you have related to your sealing needs.
All types of equipment, systems, and mechanisms require mechanical seals to properly operate. Mechanical seals are products used to seal openings of joints. The purpose of mechanical seals is to:
Form a barrier that protects against external contamination
Limit fluid leakage
Contain pressure
Types of Mechanical Seals
Depending on the specific needs of the equipment. These types of seals are required in a variety of industries as certain equipment is dependent on the technology. Some of the industries include the medical field, military machinery, electronics, marine work, construction, and medical equipment and devices. Below you will find the most common types of mechanical seals and their respective details.
Most Common Types of Mechanical Seals
Depending on your profession and needs, there are a variety of mechanical seals to accommodate your needs.
These seals can find use for two purposes as they can function as a primary seal for dynamic systems. Also, the function as a spring for reciprocating equipment. Bellow seals also have a secondary seal that is static and made of plastic, metal, or thick flexible coating.
O-Rings:
We also referred to these as “packing.” They exist as circular mechanical seals that can find use in stationary or dynamic machines, equipment, or systems. Thus, their shape is designed to stay within the connections between two different components. Still, the mechanical seal is meant to be a fluid-tight seal that can withstand major pressure and tremendous temperatures.
Labyrinth Seals:
For systems or equipment that have components that rotate, labyrinth mechanical seals can provide non-contact sealing movement. The reason: they have an inner and outer ring which can rotate due to its grooved path. Thus, this helps restrict fluids from getting in or out of the specific component.
Cartridge Seals:
The main benefit of cartridge seals is that they are quick and easy to install and remove. They are available in tandem, double, and single configurations. Still, we comprise them of:
A shaft sleeve
Seal
And gland plates
So, they prove one of the few self-contained and pre-assembled mechanical sealants.
Radial Shaft Seals:
These mechanical seals compose of a metal and a thick, flexible diaphragm, in addition to a spring-loaded sealant lip. These should to prevent leakage. They serve as stationary seals that wrap around the entire perimeter of a system that rotates. We often refer to them as “lip seals” due to the unique spring-loaded sealant lip and how we use them to prevent things from getting in to the system.
Seal Manufacturer
Because mechanical seals are integral to the successful function of machinery, equipment, and other important systems, it’s crucial to have a professional help when looking for just the right seal. The pros at Real Seal have skill in mechanical seals and determining what’s best for your unique needs. Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods.
Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact the best seal manufacturer today with any questions you have related to your mechanical sealing needs.
While rubber may seem impenetrable due to how flexible it can be, it can definitely deteriorate under certain circumstances. This can cause major problems depending on what and where it breaks down. Rubber deterioration can happen due to a variety of factors, including heat, light, and other environmental factors. It most often impacts rubber seals and O-rings. Below you will find out the most common rubber seal deterioration causes and how you can prevent it.
Rubber Deterioration Defined
Elastomers are a natural or synthetic polymer that has elastic properties. Rubber is an example of an elastomer as rubber is stretchy. Due to the nature of the material, rubber can deteriorate over time. The most common causes of rubber deterioration include light, heat, and oxygen exposure. Things like rubber seals and O-rings are susceptible to deterioration due to the molecular changes these factors cause. They can significantly impact the mechanical properties, which results in a shorter lifespan of the rubber seal.
Rubber Seal Deterioration Causes
Light, heat, and oxygen exposure can cause physical and chemical changes to rubber seals. When exposed, the chain of molecules begins to break down. Light damage is referred to as UV degradation and can cause rubber to become hard, crack, char, and even fade in color. Heat has the effect of shortening the molecular chains which causes the material to stretch once cooled down. The continuous contraction and expansion lead to the same issues that light exposure causes. Oxygen attacks the double bonds in rubber chains, which leads to deterioration. While each of these issues causes damage to rubber seals, they can be prevented with the right preparation.
Rubber Deterioration Prevention Tips
It’s important to note that before rubber is manufactured, an analysis is done to predict its response to conditions that cause both stress and strain. With that, you’ll still need to properly care for your rubber seals to ensure they last. Once you have them, they need to be stored in a cool, dry, dark, and oxygen-free space. These are the most optimal conditions to store your rubber seals. It’s best to buy specialty seals in bulk to ensure they are all in the same or similar condition.
First, clean the area around the rubber seal, including dirt, water, or any other debris.
Second, scrub off the excess grime or hardened debris to prevent any future deterioration.
Third, you’ll need to check what products will work for your specific type of rubber in terms of conditioner.
Once you’ve found the right type of conditioner, apply it to your rubber seal.
Lastly, buff off the damaged areas using a file and reapply the conditioner for optimal restoration.
Specialty Seal Manufacturers
Because rubber seals often are parts of machinery and other important products, it’s important to have a professional help in the case of deteriorated seals. While the restoration techniques above can help restore your rubber seals, consulting with specialty seal manufacturers can help. Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your rubber sealing needs.
What areas need industrial seals? Machinery and industrial equipment consist of a number of parts that work together to fully function. Certain parts of machines are different in how they function. This can create issues if they are not sealed properly. For example, some parts are static and others are rotating. This can run the risk of creating an opening between the two components. This can diminish the overall performance of the machinery making it less effective and possibly unsafe depending on the type of machine.
Industrial seals can remedy the issue and help with the machinery’s performance. So, as technical as this may be, it’s important to understand what a machine needs as there are a variety of types of equipment that require industrial seals. Below you will find the most common areas where industrial seals are needed.
What Areas Need Industrial Seals?
There are major benefits to using industrial seals when the machinery requires it. They are highly important parts that are likely the number one priority when it comes to your equipment. However, finding a sealant professional that is experienced and understands their function is highly important to find before you move forward with purchasing anything.
Die Casting:
Die casting equipment work for casting metal. So, metal casting requires forcing molten metal under high heat into a mold. Industrial seals are necessary for this equipment to function well and remove the risk of leakage.
Farm and Agriculture Equipment:
This type of equipment is outdoors. So, it gets exposed to UV rays and the elements, they can easily get contaminated. So, using an industrial seal can protect the equipment from contamination, harm, and even help increase productivity.
Clothing and Textile Manufacturing:
Due to the mass quantities that textile machines produce, industrial sealants are necessary. Various types of sealants prove crucial for this type of equipment, including:
Mechanical
Shaft
Teflon
High-performance polymers
So, these all work in the construction of the sealants needed. This allows for functions like compact spinning and continuous rotations needed to produce the products.
Publishing Printers:
Industrial Teflon seals often appear in publishing printers due to the mass quantities put out from these machines. So, this helps with performance as the printer requires continual movement for printing.
Cheese Manufacturing:
If it wasn’t for industrial seals, we just may not have one of our favorite foods! If you have ever seen the cheese-making process, you know it involves a lot of machinery. Still, that machinery is continuously moving and requires a number of seals, including pneumatic, spring, and energized seals.
Concrete Pumping Machines:
Because concrete is such an important component of many of our structures, it’s clear why the machines are integral to production. These machines require specially designed industrials as the pumping function is unique on this machinery. These packing seals prevent blockage that could be dangerous if there are issues with the pump.
Cars and the Auto Industry:
Industrial sealants appear in cars and other automobiles. They help with issues like leakage. Some of the seals comprise of rubber and polyurethane. And, this helps ensure proper automobile functioning.
Specialty Seals
Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. Now, they offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for industrial sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your industrial sealing needs.
Whether you are building a new home, renovating, or working on a commercial building, sealing materials are a vital component to the structural integrity of the building project. With so many factors going into a construction project, decisions like choosing your sealing material may feel overwhelming. With that in mind, a sealant professional can provide all of the information necessary. However, it does not hurt to know the basics yourself. Below you will find information about the best sealing materials and why they are so important.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Sealing Material
It is best to consult with a skilled professional about which sealant is right for your specific project. However, there are multiple factors to consider when choosing your sealant material.
Air Tightness: Wind can bring debris and water into your building. So having an air-tight sealant is vital for the long-term safety of your structure.
Water Tightness: Similar to airtightness, ensuring that water cannot penetrate your sealant and the joints of your building are important. Water damage can lead to mold and a variety of other health risks.
Bonding Performance: A good sealant won’t have issues bonding to various surfaces. The material has one purpose. And the initial bonding is vital for overall performance.
Heat Resistant: Depending on your structure, the surrounding areas, and the geographic location this may differ depending on your needs. However, resistance to heat is vital for the sealant to stay intact long-term.
Age Resistance: While renovations do happen, having a sealant that can last decades is important as you don’t want to have to constantly address sealant issues.
Tension-Compression Cycling Performance: Structures inevitably move even if it is slight. A sealant needs to maintain its integrity when it is both stretched (tension) and pushed together (compression) without causing sealant issues.
Best Sealing Materials
Finding the right sealing material for your project can be the difference between peace of mind or a headache later on. Depending on your project and the joints being sealed, your sealant will likely vary. For example, outdoor joints will require sealant materials that are water and age-resistant. At the same time, expansion joints require sealant materials that are strong enough performance-wise for a lot of tension and compression.
For the best sealant materials specific to your project, specialty seal manufacturers can provide you with curated formulas to ensure your sealant will last. Materials such as EPDM, fluorocarbon, silicone, NBR, and HNBR can be utilized. And a seal manufacturer can create a formula with specific technologies to meet your specific needs. With the amount of money allocated to construction, the sealant is not an area to spare any expense. It is essentially the glue that holds the integrity of the structure together. It’s important to do your own research, but consulting with a professional is the best decision for the long-term strength of your building project.
Specialty Seal Manufacturers
Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact specialty seal manufacturers today with any questions you have related to your sealing needs.
While you may use your vacuum regularly to clean up your home, you may have never thought of the suction and vacuum process. Specifically how do we create this to clean your carpets and floors. The word “vacuum” often triggers people’s memory to think about the household cleaning device. However, a vacuum doubles as a scientific term used to describe a space entirely devoid of matter. Vacuums not only help when it comes to cleaning. But they provec necessary in piping, scientific experiments, food storage, and even your lungs create a “partial” vacuum when you breathe. Below you will find more information on the background and science of how a vacuum is created.
What is a Vacuum? How a Vacuum is Created
A vacuum is a complex process that can be broken down into three steps. A vacuum is essentially defined as:
(1) any pressure below atmospheric levels
(2) that requires something to keep it in (some sort of receptacle or chamber)
(3) a means of reducing the pressure via some sort of pump
Scientists have been studying the concept for a very long time and have determined that the idea of a vacuum is highly complex and almost impossible to achieve perfection.
However, the process is used in our daily life in a variety of ways. Simply put, a vacuum is a space that encloses little or no matter, including solids, liquids, and gases. This means that it is a space with gaseous pressure that is much lower than atmospheric pressure. A partial vacuum has low amounts of matter enclosed. The term vacuum comes from the Latin word “vacuus” which means empty. While the idea may still leave your scratching your head, there’s more as the suction process to create a vacuum is also highly scientific.
What Happens in a Vacuum?
To create the vacuum, a pump of some sort is necessary. A pump creates a pressure difference that can be strong enough to pump water. A pressure difference also means a suction force. The most common way to create this suction force uses a pump and chamber. The chamber before being pumped is likely filled with matter as even air is considered matter. The pump’s suction removes the matter and reduce the pressure in the chamber. Pumps can prove either manual or electronic. The process of a vacuum remains highly complex as it requires advanced knowledge of various scientific processes highly rooted in physics. However, this overview provides the basics of the process. Thinking about the process regarding your vacuum cleaner can help with visualization.
Sealing and Vacuum Pressure
Because the idea of a vacuum is void of matter, there are possible issues that can arise if the vacuum is not strong. To maintain strong vacuum pressure, it is vital to have a strong seal no matter what. Sealants can help maintain pressure and keep particles and debris from reducing the vacuum suction. Some of the best sealants include plastic and rubber-based solutions as they are flexible and can withstand the elements.
Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. Still, they offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. The company can assist in design challenges and formulate materials to meet a specific criterion. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your vacuum seal needs.
What is injection molding? It is a way to manufacture and produce parts in large quantities. It is often used in production scenarios where the exact same part is being produced over and over again in the thousands. The main advantage of using injection molding is the ability to scale production in the hundreds and thousands. Because of the ability to scale through injection molding, the price per unit is much lower. While the initial investment may come with costs, it will pay for itself over time and eventually result in profit.
Benefits of Injection Molding
In addition to cost, there are major benefits when it comes to utilizing injection molding. Injection molding reduces the amount of scrap, which ultimately reduces waste. Unlike traditional manufacturing processes where the machine cuts away substantial amounts of the original block or sheet, injection molding has little to no scrap waste. Another benefit of it is repetition in the thousands over a short period. When using injection molding, you can be sure that each piece will be the same. And this can work for large quantities. This also helps with brand consistency as the process is highly reliable and can ensure that consumers can count on your brand. Lastly, injection molding provides you with the ability to create exactly what you want. You can design and prototype your specific part to your own specifications. You can continue to fine-tune your product with little waste before mass producing it.
Working with a skilled seal manufacturer is vital for the success of your business. A skilled manufacturer will already have the necessary equipment and will be able to work within your needs and requirements. Real Seal has been manufacturing seal systems and mechanical component products for years with the added benefit of offering small and medium quantity requirements. This is a major benefit as most manufacturers, especially overseas, require large quantity orders due to precise specification requirements.
Real Seal manufactures, produces, and has experience with thermoplastic urethanes, thermoplastic elastomer materials, and rigid plastics. The benefit of Real Seal injection molding sealing devices is that they are a computer-controlled mechanization which ensures consistency. An additional benefit provided is on-site tooling operations, which adds another element of control in terms of manufacturing. This helps with reliability, conformity, and consistency for your brand.
Anatomy of an Injection Mold
While injection molds look like complicated and detailed machinery, each of the device’s respective parts have a function that supports the mold creation. Injection molding machines are also referred to as presses. They consist of a material hopper, an injection ram or screw-type plunger, and a heating unit. Molds clamp to the platen of the molding machine. There the plastic is injected into the mold through a part called the sprue orifice. Each injection mold needs to have an opening that allows the molten plastic to be injected into the cavity of the mold.
Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. The company can assist in design challenges and formulate materials to meet a specific criterion. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your injection molding and production needs.
While gland and packing seals have been the industry standard for quite some time, mechanical seals are also a beneficial option due to their operational benefits. When it comes to choosing the best specialty seals solution for your pumps, agitators, or other equipment, the technological advancements in sealing have provided more options. Below you will find the respective benefits of packing seals as compared to mechanical seals. In other words, let’s look at gland seal vs mechanical seal.
Gland Seal vs Mechanical Seal
Before you decide which seal to use, compare the respective differences between mechanical and gland seals to see which one is right for your project.
Mechanical Seals:
For diverse applications where you need to avoid leaks, mechanical seals prove more beneficial than traditional packing seals. This is because mechanical seals are more durable and are designed to withstand a lot. Most basic mechanical seals use multiple sealing points to eliminate the leakage issue.
Packing Seals:
These have been the most widely used type of solution for many years. Packing seals use a material that is rope-like to wrap around the shaft of a pump. They can fill dead space and minimize fluid loss. Fluid loss increases as the packing materials being to wear down. This can impair regular lubrication and reduce the ease of placement required for it to function properly.
Best Uses for Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals should be used when seal leakage is not an option for equipment or applications. This often occurs when pump leakage can cause environmental or safety issues. Mechanical seals are more durable and are a better choice for the long-term life of your pumps. However, they are more expensive than packing seals, but it is a good initial investment. Without using a mechanical seal, you will likely have to replace and repair the seals. Doing so often costs you more in the long run. Mechanical seal is also best for minimizing sleeve damage because they do not need to be replaced. Choosing packing seals can result in the need for a replacement, which can cause wear and tear on your pumps as they are disassembled and assembled over and over again.
Best Uses for Packing Seals
Packing seals are the most common and economical choice when it comes to sealing solution. This is the very reason why they are still widely used. One of the major benefits of packing seals is that they are much easier to install compared to mechanical seals. They also make for easy installation. And they take significantly less time than mechanical seals as they don’t require you to decouple the driveshaft. Packing seals are also much more forgiving than mechanical seals as they can adapt to the conditions and maintain their integrity well. Pumps and agitators have a lot of radial movement and issues with misalignment, and packing seals can easily adapt to the environmental changes.
When deciding which seal is right for you, it’s important to note the respective pros and cons. If you end up having difficulty determining which is right for you, consult with a seal specialist.
Specialty Seals
Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your specialty seal needs.
