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.
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