Automotive seals, as the name implies, are used in vehicles. They are devices that are used to join systems together. It also prevents leakage, exclude contaminants, and contain pressure. There are different types of seals and they are used in induction sealing, heating, stuffing, and adhesion of parts. The efficacy of the seals is dependent on the adhesion of both the sealant and the gasket.

Functions of Automotive Seals

Unlike other seals used in different industries, automotive seals have excellent reliability, are long-lasting and extremely silent. They can survive heavy duty use and extreme vibrations attributed to a running engine. Without these seals, everything would fall apart. Seals allow the vehicle to function properly as well as to run. They are used in different applications not only in cars but also in motorcycles, ATVs, and off-road heavy machinery and equipment.

Seals are integral parts of the automotive industry. They are used in a variety of different applications. Seals may be small but they serve an even bigger and greater purpose in the integrity of the vehicle. Below are the functions of the seals in cars.

• They enclose the gas and liquid within the chamber. The gas tank contains seals that allow the vehicle to use up the fuel without wasting it. Hydraulic seals are also important for the movement of vehicle parts. Systems within the vehicle that uses hydraulic seals include suspensions and brakes.

• Stave off contaminants from crucial parts of the vehicle components. Seals keep away dust and other debris away from the engine and other important components of the vehicle.

• They keep liquids and gases separated from one another. There are many car parts that use liquids and gases to function properly. Examples include: the engine which keeps the coolant and engine oil, brakes for the brake fluid, and the reservoir to keep the power steering fluid to name a few.

• To protect bearings. Bearings are often filled with lubricants that protect the parts from corrosion, wear, and tear. The bearings need to be spotless, thus a contamination within it may cause the housing elements to experience premature failure. The seals protect the bearing by preventing dust and powder from entering the assembly.

Types of Automotive Seals

There are a lot of seals that the automotive industry use but there are two types of seals that are commonly used. These seals have also found their way into other industries. Below are the different types of automotive seals that also have mechanical applications.

O-rings seals

O-rings are made from elastomeric materials. They function by sealing two adjacent surfaces thus keeping the liquids contained from within a particular system. They are designed to take on extreme pressure and temperature as well as corrosive gases and liquids. They are designed to have a contact with the sealing face. It is very flexible. Thus, allowing it to accommodate any imperfections on the mounting surfaces.

It is considered as one of the most common type of seals used in machines as they are cheap and very easy to manufacture. They are also very reliable and have simple requirements, making the mounting process less complicated. Also called toric joint or packing, O-rings also have mechanical applications especially where relative motion between parts are involves. They are used to contain pressure and fluid. O-rings are used in vacuum applications to keep the pressure in check. They are also used to prevent leaks in pumps.

Lathe-cut seals

Lathe cut seals are used similarly with O-rings. They are made from a rubber tubing that has been inserted with a mandrel to cut the desired dimension. They provide more cost-performance benefits especially when static seal is needed. Unlike O-rings, lathe-cut seals provide wider surface for sealing thus making it more resistant against compression. They are also less expensive making them great for high volume gaskets.

Lip seals

This type of seal is used in rotating shafts. The lip provides a seal from a low-pressure chamber. It is installed in the pressure source and it balloons out to provide tight sealing. They are used in motors as well as reversible motors. They are also used in devices that need to maintain vacuum conditions to preclude dirt and contamination for entering.

Packing

Packing is a type of woven fiber that are packed between parts that needed to be sealed. This type of packing can be dynamic or static. It functions as a rotating shaft seal and gasket in different types of application. It is placed in a bore and compressed by a flange in automotive parts. It can also be used to seal a pump. In fact, industries like the paper manufacturing and milling use packing seals to prevent leaks.

Seals are created to prevent leaks. There are different types of leaks that are used in different industries but it is important to take note that even if they are designed to cater to the automotive industry, they have profound mechanical applications.

For more information on a variety of engineered rubber and plastic sealants, machinery devices, laboratory testing, and design engineering, contact Real Seal.

Our organization is geared to meet the more fragmenting aspects of industry today. Industrial manufacturers are being tasked with offering consumers more choice, a wider latitude of performance criterion, and greater economic restraints. As American industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of today’s consumers and the challenges of international competition, Real Seal continues to provide solutions and create value.

Mechanical seals are perhaps one of the most underrated and unappreciated parts of pumps or machines. They ensure that pumps, for instance, do not leak, causing damage to the rest of the machine.

In general, mechanical seals contain the fluid within machines, like pumps and mixers, where a rotating shaft passes through a stationary housing. It prevents visible leaks from leaking. The thing is that machines do leak about ½ teaspoon of liquid each day. But this is normal as the machine captures the moisture and is condensed within it. It also has lightly loaded faces that consume less power. Moreover, the machines suffer from less corrosion because the product or liquid is contained within the pump.

There are different types of seals that machines use and these include stationary seal, rotating seal, balanced seal, unbalanced seal, and mounted seal. The most common seal is the rotating seal and it is used as a component that holds rotating springs together.

The quality of seals is crucial. It is also important to apply the correct seal for the appropriate function. But even if you have chosen the right seal, there will be moments wherein your seals are failing fast. This is especially true if you are working in a plant containing different industries. You have to take note that the mechanical seal serves as the lifeline of the machine. Thus, letting you understand the health of your machine. When the seals are failing, it indicates that your machine might also be failing. There are so many reasons why seals fail and understanding these reasons is crucial to protecting the seal and making it last for a long time. Below are the common reasons why seals get broken.

Letting the Pump or Machine Run Dry

Letting the pump run dry can damage the mechanical seal. Because the seals should not run dry, they are usually designed to allow a thin film of liquid that migrates across the seal faces. If the seals run dry, the friction can cause heat to build up eventually cause damage and leaks. In most cases, the mechanical seal undergoes thermal shock and can disintegrate within 30 seconds after friction and heat have been introduced to it.

Too Much Vibration

Machines do vibrate over time and this is caused by many factors like improper alignment and pump imbalance. It can also be caused by operating the pump beyond its best efficiency point. This means that the machine is operating beyond its normal working point. Machines normally make vibrations as they contain different moving components that produce movements resulting in vibrations. Vibrations can hurt the machine thus resulting in damaged components including reduced seal life.

Hammering Couplings

Machines contain components such as pistons that take on a hammering action. While it is necessary to move the machine, hammering can be very destructive not only for the machine but also for the seals. In some machines, the hammering is so intense that it produces a lot of movement and vibrations. While hammering is inherent among machines that are driven by the piston, it can cause a lot of problems to the seal.

Human Error

Human error can also cause the seals to fail. An example of human error that can lead to damage of seals is skipping initial start-up procedures. If the machine does not start properly, this causes the motor to trip and the shaft to twist. In turn causing movement that results to internal parts coming into contact. It can also lead to failure of the seal and reduce the bearing life. On another note, improperly installing the seal can cause damage to components such as the O-rings. Failure to clean the surrounding of the seals can also lead to failure. Proper maintenance should be given to the seal. The thing is that seals are very sensitive and they can get damaged with even the presence of oil, dirt, and even fingerprints.

Using the Wrong Mechanical Seal

There are different types of mechanical seals out there and it is important that the appropriate seal should be used for a particular machine. Unfortunately, even seasoned engineers lack the necessary information on which type of mechanical seal they should use with their machines. Choosing an inappropriate mechanical seal leads to errors during the installation process. Remember that different machines or pumps handle different kinds of products. You cannot, for instance, choose a seal to handle an abrasive and caustic liquid and expect it to not leak eventually.

If you want to improve the lifespan of your machine, it is important to reduce the mechanical seal failure. You can do this by selecting the right seal and also engaging in good operating practices. While seals look small and disposable, they are very reliable and they can function effectively if they are used and cared for properly.

For more information on a variety of engineered rubber and plastic sealants, machinery devices, laboratory testing, and design engineering, contact Real Seal. Our organization is geared to meet the more fragmenting aspects of industry today. Industrial manufacturers are being tasked with offering consumers more choice, a wider latitude of performance criterion, and greater economic restraints. As American industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of today’s consumers and the challenges of international competition, Real Seal continues to provide solutions and create value.

Seals have a crucial impact on system performance. Life and reliability of what is often considered a simple component can make all the difference to your products and operations.

Here is a quick look at some of the different types of seals and the applications that rely on them.

Types of Industrial Engineering Seals

Heavy industries like metal, construction, wind energy, forestry, mining, and pulp and paper all rely on different types of seals that have to operate within a wide range of speeds, temperatures, and environmental conditions.

Some of the major types of seals that can be found in industrial engineering applications include:

• Hydraulic seals—are use to seal the opening between various components in the hydraulic cylinder.
• Pneumatic seals—operate in dynamic applications, often at high speeds, generally with rotary or reciprocating motions.
• Piston seals—are used in hydraulic cylinders for fluid sealing. They are internal to the cylinder head and seal against the cylinder bore, preventing fluid from flowing across the cylinder head. This allows pressure to build up on one side of the piston, making the cylinder extend or retract.
• LC profile seals—is used in applications where pressures fluctuate rapidly.
• Fastener seals—are composite sealing washers, consisting of a metallic carrier and a vulcanised elastomer sealing lip. They provide a static function on flanges or threaded connections, and consistently assure ideal compression conditions between the housing components to prevent the destruction of the sealing lip.
• Integral seals—eliminate the need for a machined groove in the mating sealing flanges. The seal is kept in place by mechanically and/or chemically bonding the elastomer to a frame edge that is separate from the flange.
• Rotary shaft seals—are used in components with oscillating or rotating parts to keep lubrication fluids in, while preventing ingress of mud and water.

Types of Mechanical Seals

There are multiple designs available for the mechanical seal configuration including:

• Conventional seals—are relatively simple mechanical seals that have to be properly set and aligned on the shaft or the sleeve of the pump.
• Pusher seals—incorporate secondary seals that move axially along a shaft or sleeve to maintain contact at the seal faces, to accommodate wear and to assist in the absorption of shaft misalignment.
• Non-pusher seals—also known as a bellows seal, has a secondary seal that is in a static state at all times, even when the pump is in operation. A secondary sealing member is not required to make up the travel as the rotary and stationary seal faces wear. Primary seal face wear is typically accommodated by welded metal or elastomeric bellows, which move to assist in the compression of the rotary to stationary seal faces.
• Unbalanced seals—are used under drastic conditions where there are vibrations, misalignment of the shaft, and the problem of the cavitation of the fluid.
• Balanced seals—have the ability to sustain higher pressures across the faces, and they generate less heat; therefore, they are suitable for handling liquids that have low lubricating capacity and hydrocarbons that have high vapor pressure.
• Cartridge seals—have the mechanical seal pre-mounted on a sleeve (including the gland). They fit directly over the shaft or shaft sleeve, and are available in single, double, and tandem configurations.

Types of Automotive Seals

There is also a wide spectrum of advanced sealing solutions for cars, light vehicles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bikes, including:

• Bearing seals—rolling resistance is a significant factor in the power losses of vehicles. Seals used in bearings can be a significant contributor due to the friction generated.
• Body seals—gas springs are used to assist opening, closing, lifting, lowering, and damping movements.
• Driveline seals—can deliver unparalleled performance over a wide range of operating conditions to reduce power losses and minimize fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. In addition, for automatic transmissions, the gear change performance affects the overall comfort of the vehicle.
• Engine seals—a variety of outer diameter designs are available for optimal installation and retention of the seal, which provide optimized performance for automotive applications.
• Steering seals—many power steering applications use high-pressure hydraulic systems where seals are critical components, playing an important role in preventing pressure loss.
• Suspension seals—serve a duel purpose: contributing to the vehicles road holding and braking capacity, and keeping occupants comfortable and reasonably isolated from road noise, bumps, and vibrations.
• Wheel end seals—are key to determining the life of the unit. If the seal allows external contaminants to enter the bearing or lubricant to escape from the bearing, then premature failure of the unit will result.

For more information on a variety of engineered rubber and plastic sealants, machinery devices, laboratory testing, and industrial engineering, contact Real Seal. Our organization is geared to meet the more fragmenting aspects of industry today. Industrial engineering manufacturers are being tasked with offering consumers more choice, a wider latitude of performance criterion, and greater economic restraints. As American industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of today’s consumers and the challenges of international competition, Real Seal continues to provide solutions and create value.

There’s no denying that choosing an O-Ring is a daunting decision for newcomers. Just take a look at this website designed to simplify the O-Ring selection. While this website does a great job of compiling O-Ring-related information into a single, easily digestible place, there are simply simply a large number of factors that relate to your O-Ring selection. Understanding the benefits of each material Real Seal provides for your application will make your decision much easier. This blog has already covered silicone more in-depth, so please take a look if you can’t find a material that suits your application here.

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, or EPDM, is a versatile material used in a wide variety of applications. It provides excellent resistance to a wide variety of application factors, including: steam, water, heat, ozone, sunlight, mild acidics, alkali, and oxygenated solvents.

EPDM may also be cured with sulphur or peroxide if your application requires it. Real Seal focuses on peroxide-cured EPDM, since peroxide provides better chemical and thermal resistance compared with sulphur. Peroxide-cured EPDM resists up to 150 C (300 F), while sulphur can only resist up to 120 C (250 F). For this reason, peroxide is recommended for applications seeing heavy use.

Peroxide-cured EPDM will improve the heat stability, modulus (elastic stiffness), aging, and compression of the O-Ring. It will be resistant to the following common substances:

• Alcohols
• Engine coolant
• Hot water
• Ketones
• Organic and inorganic acid

However, it cannot be used with fuels, greases, or mineral oils. If your application involves drinking water, food, or beverages, peroxide-cured EPDM will likely be the best material.

Poyurethane

Polyurethane is a thermoplastic resin which also has elastometric properties. You may recognize polyurethane in various materials around your home. But its unique properties – such as the highest tensile strength and resistance (i.e. to abrasion and tear) of any elastomer – has allowed it to carved out a special niche as an O-Ring or seal as well. Most polyurethanes will work in temperatures ranging from -40 C to 82 C.

Real Seal also offers variant of polyurethane called polyester-polyurethane (AU) and polyether-polyurethane (EU). Within a temperature range of -40 C to 82 C, AU can resist hydrocarbon fuels, oxygen, ozone, and weathering well. AU also features improved abrasion, heat, and oil resistance; however, it deteriorates quickly when exposed to acids, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

EU is more resistant to water and humidity than other polyurethanes. Its toughness and abrasion resistance also make it very suitable for hydraulic systems where high pressures, shock loads, wide metal tolerances, and abrasive contamination are involved.

NBR/Nitrile

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber is also called simply Nitrile or NBR. This elastomer is a great choice for a seal in most hydraulic and pneumatic applications, since it can handle compression set, tear, and abrasion better than most other elastomers. The only downside is that it must be protected from sunlight, though it may resist sunlight better if it is compounded with hydrogenation, carboxylic acid addition, or another substance.
It is used with a wide variety of substances:

• Fluids
• Fats
• Animal and vegetable oils
• Flame retardant liquids (HFA, HFB, HFC)
• Grease
• Water
• Air

HNBR

Hydrogenated nitrile rubber, or HNBR, is similar to NBR, but with better resistance to oil and chemicals, and temperatures up to 150 C. NBR, by contrast, may be used between -35 C and 120 C. HNBR is typically used in rubber moulded parts, O-rings, and dynamic seals, as well as high-tensile strength and abrasion applications such as:

• Mud motors
• Rotary steerable tools
• Measurement While Drilling (MWD)
• Logging While Drilling (LWD)

FKM

Fluorocarbon rubber is a rubber compound with high chemical resistance, as well as low compression set at elevated temperatures. Though FKM cannot be used with bases, it is compatible with applications involving:

• Mineral oils and greases
• Aliphatic
• Aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Fuels
• Oils
• Silicone oils and greases

FFKM

FFKM is essentially FKM with a fully fluorinated polymer backbone that offers superior thermo-chemical resistance. This allows it to be used in most harsh environments, including hot amines, steam, solvents, and hydrocarbons. The downside is that its resistance to lower temperatures is poor.

Aflas/FEPM

Aflas has a chemical structure with excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical resistivity. It can also resist chemicals like acids, alkalis, steam, as well as other strong bases (unlike FKM). It does, however, have a weakness to low temperatures in aromatic oils, and poor resistance to mineral oils. It can be used in temperatures from -5 C to 200 C.

No matter what material you need, Real Seal will have the material perfect for your application. Keep checking back here for more information on O-Rings and seals, or contact Real Seal if you have any particular questions.

If you use O-rings in your business, it may be tempting to stock up ahead of time to ensure that your supply is ready when you need it. However, O-rings and other rubber seals are highly sensitive to factors like temperature and humidity, which can severely damage your inventory. Use the following guidelines before re-stocking your O-ring inventory to ensure the maximum ROI:

Packaging

O-Rings must be packaged in a way that protects them from light, ozone, oxygen, and any other contaminants, including dirt. Keep in mind that lubricants and coatings will influence their shelf-life as well.
The bags or boxes that you use are also important: use containers which minimize distortion of the seal (for example, crushing or twisting), as the elastomer will lose performance and shelf-life. For the same reason, avoid overstuffing containers.

Storage Conditions

O-rings must be stored below 100° F (38° C). Like food items, colder temperatures mean better preservation. But before installation, O-rings must be brought back to room temperature to remain flexible. Humidity must be monitored carefully as well, as dry environments will affect the rubber. Too much humidity will cause the seals to absorb water and change dimensions, affecting the performance of the rubber.
Atmospheric ozone can be very destructive for rubber, so be sure to inspect your storage area for ozone-generating equipment that will concentrate ozone near the inventory. Ensure that the room is dark to avoid sunlight and UV light, and be aware of any radiation sources so that you can protect your O-rings accordingly.

Proper Documentation and Stock Rotation

Using the cure date and batch number identification, you should employ the FIFO (“first in, first out”) method of stock rotation. Ensure that your inventory team is prepared to segregate batches, or you may lose important information.

Make sure that you are doing business with an experienced seal distributor will properly label every package in order to maximize O-ring performance and shelf-life. Contact Real Seal today for all of your O-ring questions and needs.