Seals are a part of our everyday 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 the benefits of using specialty seals rather than packing.
Packing
Still widely used, pump packing is still used to reduce leakage. Modern techniques use much more sophisticated braiding and materials, so they reduce friction, withstand heat and wear less. The benefits to using packing are many. For example, most maintenance personnel are familiar with it and how-to re-package if there is an issue. And the initial cost of packing is lower than with a mechanical seal.
One of the main benefits is that when packing starts to leak, it can be readjusted and tightened to reduce the leak while keeping the pump in service. When a mechanical seal fails, it can cause the pump to shut down.
Mechanical Seals
Packing should be maintained with a leakage rate of about one drop per minute of sealed product per inch/25mm of the outside diameter of the shaft. This rate of leakage can add up quickly costing hundreds of gallons a year. However, correctly fitted mechanical seals have no visible leakage, thus leading to no loss of product. Factoring in the loss of product, the mechanical seal usually pays for itself in about six months.
With no leakage, seals save companies time and money in dealing with waste disposal and other environmental issues. Governments are cracking down on waste and conservation of resources is the trend. Mechanical seals reduce disposal costs and provide benefits to emissions reduction.
Compared to packing, mechanical seals also reduce power consumption. On average, it is estimated that packing consumes six times more power than a properly fitted mechanical seal. Bearings are also more susceptible to damage due to the leakage that comes with packing. Using a mechanical seal means no leakage which means the life of the bearings is increased significantly.
Mechanical seals also reduce the wear and tear on shafts and sleeves. Packing also requires constant attention and maintenance due to the leakage issues. Because it doesn’t require routine maintenance, a mechanical seal can help reduce maintenance costs associated with corrosion, cleaning and painting.
Specialty Seals
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 our 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.
