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.

Corrosion is a naturally occurring process that converts refined metals into more stable forms. This includes oxide, hydroxide, or sulfide. Seal corrosion involves the gradual destruction of metal materials by chemical reactions within their environment. For metals exposed to moisture, the corrosion process can impact and cause the process to speed up. Moisture can be in the form of water or even moisture that’s in the air. The oxygen from the water works with the molecules in the metal, leading to corrosion. It’s caused by a difference in electrical loading which can impact the materials of your machinery, boat, or other structures like bridges. The issue with corrosion is that different types of materials corrode in their own unique way, which requires different ways to prevent seal corrosion.

Visible Signs of Corrosion

Some of the signs of corrosion include the following:

• Discoloration of the paint covering the area at or near where the metal parts are joined
• Protective coating flaking at or near the corrosion site
• Flaking of one of the metals at the area where two metals are joined.

Solutions to Seal Corrosion

While seal corrosion may impact your metals, there are solutions to ensure the corrosion is stopped or prevented for good. Below you will find some of the most effective solutions to prevent seal corrosion.

Bronze Housing Parts:

As their name states, bronze comprises these. Bronze exists as an alloy that consists of mostly copper, and it does corrode. However, it corrodes much slower when compared to cast iron or even ordinary steel. You’ll know when it has corroded as it turns a green color. You’ll notice numerous green spots once corrosion has occurred.

Liner Coating:

Chrome steel serves as liner coating. This boils down to essentially steel with chrome added to increase corrosion resistance. The most common liner coating appears as a hard metal layer coating, as it drastically improves corrosion resistance. The layer proves harder than the rest of the metal materials. And contains of different materials that work as more resistant.

Anodes:

Another form of corrosion in metals would be pitting. Pitting is a type of localized corrosion that leads to the creation of small holes in the metal. Pitting can start with even just a small surface defect like a scratch change in composition, or even damage to the protective coating. If your machinery or boat ends up submerged in water, this proves the best way to protect the area in water. The anode blocks comprise of aluminum and will protect other metals from corrosion. In addition to aluminum, zinc or magnesium can also serve as anodes. However, magnesium can damage the paint layers.

Whether you are designing new assets or curbing the risk of corrosion in existing ones, consult a professional seal expert. They have the experience and expertise to provide a thorough survey of the situation and identify possible spots that may cause trouble.

Medical Grade Seals

Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seals, 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 your needs, specifically when it comes to the prevention of seal corrosion. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your seal needs!

Due to the recent changes in global health and the impact it has had on the healthcare industry, medical-grade seals in healthcare are an integral component of the industry. The healthcare industry has continued to innovate in times of need due to various global health crises. And, the recent global pandemic has cast a major spotlight on the healthcare industry. From the supplies used to improve patient care and stop the spread of infectious diseases to protecting healthcare professionals on the front lines, medical equipment has never been so prevalent in the media and global conversation about health. 

The medical industry relies heavily on rubber parts and seals for a variety of uses in healthcare. Medical-grade seals must meet stringent requirements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They are also required to undergo and surpass rigorous testing standards for use in healthcare. Two of the most common uses for medical-grade seals in healthcare include personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators.

Medical Grade Seals and PPE: 

PPE was a part of the medical community before the recent global pandemic. Now, the words are understood and shared in conversations among those who are not professionals in the healthcare industry. Medical-grade seals play a large role in the effectiveness of PPE equipment. This is because they can help seal equipment to keep out harmful bacteria, viruses, and other unknown pathogens that can affect the health of healthcare workers and their patients. Below are some of the most common PPE that rely on medical-grade seals.

• Facial respirators (half and full)
• Vented eye shields
• Air respiratory protection

Medical Grade Seals and Ventilators: 

Before the pandemic hit, ventilators did not exist as an everyday word people used in discussions. Now, however, they are of major concern as the availability and production of them became a huge topic due to the recent increase in need from the spread of Covid-19. Nevertheless, for medical equipment like ventilators (and some other medical equipment), medical-grade seals are necessary for the proper engineering and effectiveness of the machine. One extra requirement for the medical-grade seals in ventilators is that it must be biologically compatible with the environment. This means that the material must be able to perform properly and without any reaction to human tissue. This is vital as ventilators come into contact with human tissue and provide life-saving support to those impacted by the virus and other harmful medical conditions. In addition to ventilators, medical-grade seals are used in medical pumps, IVs, feeding devices, and implants.

Medical-grade seals are vitally important in a large number of life-saving devices and applications. And, various companies manufacture medical grade seals, which help engineer and build ventilators. This is crucial now more than ever as the pandemic has changed the medical field like never before seen in modern history. 

Medical-Grade Seals in 

Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seals 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 specific criteria, like medical grade seals. Contact Real Seal today with any questions you have related to your medical-grade seal needs. 

Seals are small components that have a big function. At their most essential purpose, they keep fluid in and debris out. Failure to do this can lead to costly machine destruction, and even endanger the lives of people working around these machines. Preventing seal failure is very important on many different levels. If you need specialty seals that won’t fail, contact Real Seal today for a list of specialized seals.

What Seals Are Up Against

Many factors can cause a seal to fail. Being aware of these factors will help you in preventing an avoidable failure. Seals are under constant pressure because of the liquid or gas being contained. Typically, the seals in pipes or machinery have some type of matter within transferred at high velocities. This is a huge part of what they were designed to do, but too much or too little pressure could wear down the seals.

In addition, extreme temperatures can cause the seal to become brittle. A mixture of extreme temperatures and pressure is a recipe for cracking and leaking. Also, debris can contaminate the integrity of the seal. Even in clean environments, the small shavings from pistons or hydraulics can get into the seal. Chemical compounds can cause a much faster seal breakdown, so be aware of what type of matter stays concealed. Finally, time will cause the seal to break down. There is no way to avoid this one, so ensuring you mitigate the other factors can help the longevity of a seals life.

Different Types of Seals

Each seal has a specific purpose and function. Putting the right seal in the right environment will help you have a more successful operation.

• O-rings are the most popular type of seal. They are meant for static conditions and can conceal liquid and gas.
• Rod seals should work with hydraulic cylinders. They typically work best with concealing fluid and can withstand movement.
• Piston seals should also be used with hydraulics, but specifically pistons instead of cylinders.
• Wear rings find usage in sewage pumps mostly. They are used to decrease the leakage around an impeller, which is the rotor that increases the flow of liquid.

Preventing Seal Failure: How To

These are the main points of failure for seals and the best ways to avoid them:
Install the seal properly. Even with improper installation, a seal can work initially, but it will fail much quicker. Seals need to have the exact size for a precise fit. Or they will fail. Make sure to get the correct seal for the area in which you plan to install it.

• Cleanliness is paramount. Although it is important to keep debris away from the seals, that is not where cleanliness needs to begin. You also need to make sure that the area is clean of debris during installation.
• Find the proper rating for the environment. Seals have different ratings for temperature and pressure. Make sure the seal can handle these two factors for longevity.
• The finish of the seal and the shaft need to match. You can’t have a smooth shaft with a seal that has edges or burrs. Anything that can be caught or cause friction will create debris. This mismatch can also throw the seal out of alignment.
• Ensure all other parts of the machinery are functioning correctly. An anomaly somewhere else can cause undue stress to the seals.
• Periodically check the fluid conditions. The purpose of a seal is to prevent leaks, but too much or too little fluid can cause damage. Verifying the fluid conditions stay consistent will keep the seal in good shape.
• Replace seals promptly. This one comes more with experience. Always replace seals before they get too worn to stay effective.

Plastic is a term that has become pretty commonplace in today’s society. Most people come in contact with some type of plastic daily. Although we interact with plastic frequently, not many of us know what it is or how we make them. Most people don’t even realize different types of plastic that we use for different things. Thermoplastic is one of those plastic categories that can be used to great effect. Today we look at what thermoplastic is and what advantages it may have.

A Quick Definition of Thermoplastic

Without getting too in-depth, a thermoplastic is a kind of polymer that can be molded when heat is administered. Essentially, it is a type of plastic that you can manipulate into any shape. Thermoplastic is also more easily recyclable due to its interaction with heat. Because of these features, companies use thermoplastic a lot in plumbing and mechanical products. At Real Seal, we distribute O-rings using this type of polymer.

What Is a Polymer?

Now that you understand the uses of thermoplastic, it’s time to understand what comprises it. “Polymer” is a term used to indicate both organic and synthetic products that are composed of monomers. Monomers are molecules that typically bond to other molecules. When monomers are repeatedly linked together, they make up branches and chains that are classified as a polymer. Essentially, it is a product that has a bunch of molecules connected together.

Our body is full of polymers, and the same concept is used in the production of products like plastic and nylon. What makes the polymers that form a thermoplastic unique is that they are weakly bonded so that it is easier to manipulate. This weak bond creates a reusable and moldable product. The only real drawback of this weak bond is that heat easily affects it. While this is good for the molding process, it is not good for the application. If you are to use thermoplastics in a high heat environment, they will become weak and pliable.

Why Should You Use Thermoplastics?

One of the main reasons to use thermoplastics is their high rate of recyclability. The chemical property of thermoplastics does not degrade even after many times of heating and cooling. This means that you can reuse thermoplastics in a new environment when needed, even someone molded them before. Another big reason to use thermoplastics is that they do not corrode or rust like steel. This is why it is a great alternative for pipes.

Disadvantages

The biggest downfall of steel pipes is their susceptibility to rust and corrosion. Utilizing thermoplastic pipes in homes and office buildings is a great way to lower costs for maintenance and replacement. In fact, it doesn’t just resist corrosion, but it has electrical insulation as well. This means that it will not allow electrical currents to flow through it easily. And it is safe to use in many areas. If rust and electricity resistance wasn’t enough, they are also resistant to humidity changes. Harsh environments can be a problem for a lot of materials, but thermoplastic is tough.

Full of Usages

Thermoplastics are also great for custom jobs because they are so easily moldable. The fact that you can create almost anything you need makes this a go-to product for many industries. Finally, the weight is a huge strength in favor of using thermoplastic over other products. Ultimately, this material’s versatility makes it a jack-of-all-trades for many industries and tons of unique applications. The only major downside to using it is its limited service temperature performance. For all its strengths, you still have to be careful of the temperature fluctuation where you use it.

Leaking pipes are an immediate problem that requires a quick response. If you ignore them, then you can expect lots of damage to your home. Sometimes, replacing parts and seals is not an option right away, so you need some alternatives to stop the leak quickly. Temporary fixes are not meant to last forever, but will at least mitigate any damage to rooms or furniture in your house. Having the proper parts and seals is very important to minimize pipes leaking. Real Seal manufacturers some of the greatest seal components to help avoid frequent plumbing problems. But leaks are bound to happen sometime, so here are some temporary fixes for leaks to use while waiting for a seal replacement.

Turn Off the Water Supply

This may not stop the leak completely, but it is an essential first step for any plumbing problem. Be sure to turn the water off before trying any of these temporary fixes. Cutting off the water supply to the pipes will stop the possibility of more damage happening. If turning off the water doesn’t stop the leak, it will at least slow the leak down. You may not be able to use your bathroom sink, but at least your bathroom won’t be flooded.

Epoxy Putty

You can use this compound to seal areas that have a leak. For the best results, you want to apply it to a dry and clean pipe. This may be difficult to do if the leak is persistent. Once the water is turned off, you should have an easier time getting the pipe exterior dry. Knead the putty to make it soft, and fully cover the surface area of the leak in the putty. Wait for the putty to harden, and then test the flow of water and make sure the leak has been patched.

Clamps and Patches

A pipe clamp is meant to suppress the leak so that the water doesn’t have a way to leave the pipe. If you have a crack in the pipe, you can use a clamp to cover the spot and keep the water flowing like normal. It is prudent to also use a patch with the clamp for the most effective fix. Cover the leaking area with a rubber or plastic patch. You can use electrical tape to keep the patch in place, which will make applying the clamp much easier. Once the patch is covering the leak, apply the clamp to the patch for a tight fit.

Wrap the Leak

There are multiple alternatives at hardware stores that you can keep at home to wrap a leaky section of plumbing. For leaks that happen at the joint or middle of a pipe, a rubber pipe connector will work. Repair sleeves are also a good alternative for this type of leak. In both cases, you tightly fit the sleeve or connector over the leak. This will stop the flow of water and will temporarily be like a pipe on the outside of the pipe. Pipe wraps are more similar to epoxy because they harden around the leak to prevent water flow. In any case, you are covering the leak and hopefully stopping the water.

Duct Tape

When all else fails, or you have no other option, duct tape is an alternative that you will most likely have in your garage. Wrap the duct tape around the section of the pipe that is leaking multiple times. The more times you wrap it, the more likely it will hold. This is the least effective way to fix a pipe temporarily, so use the plumbing in that section of the house as little as possible until it can be properly fixed.

Remember, temporary fixes for leaks are exactly that: temporary. They can keep they problem at bay until you get professional help. Only a real seal will actually solve the problem in the end.

Corrosion is something that we can identify, but most of us do not know how it comes to be. We just know that when something is corroded, it probably needs to be replaced or at least cleaned. Whatever the case may be, corrosion is not something you want in any situation. When it comes to plumbing and mechanical parts, corrosion can cause a ton of trouble. Real Seal manufactures superior mechanical components and wants you to know how to prevent corrosion from causing a fuss with your project or home.

What is corrosion?

Corrosion can be widely defined as the “degradation of material through contact with its environment.” This essentially means that almost any type of material can be a victim of corrosion. The “environment” mentioned in the definition means that anything from moisture, temperature, acidity, and oxygen could create corrosion. Many people only think of corrosion as happening when something is consistently wet. Although that is a common cause, it is only one of many environmental factors that can cause the degradation of a material. There are slight variations in the type of corrosive process for different materials, but the outcome is typically the same. Unprotected material can be broken down over time, compromising its integrity. In our daily lives, we see this with pipes and other metal materials most often.

How to prevent corrosion

One factor of corrosion is contact between two different types of metal. Some metals are weaker than others, which is referred to as being less noble. One particularly weak metal is stainless steel. In the case of stainless steel valves, graphite is commonly used to create a barrier to stop the corrosion. This is one of the biggest preventative measures against corrosion: always make sure you have a barrier to slow down corrosion between two metals. Galvanization is a common practice where a thin layer coats a metallic part to protect it from this stress. Another way to prevent corrosion is to design ample space and drainage around an area. If you create a way for less environmental impact on pipes and other metals, then they will last longer. Controlling the environment is most effective. Controlling moisture, oxygen, acid, and temperature can help keep corrosion at bay. Finally, if you want to prevent corrosion, then you have to maintain the material. Consistent cleaning and replacing will prolong the life of many materials.

How to clean corrosion

Since metal is the most common material that corrodes, here are some tips for removing the corrosion. This will hopefully increase the lifespan of these metals.

• White vinegar is one of the oldest cleaning agents around. Your great grandparents probably even used this stuff. The cleaning power is in its high acidic profile. Soak corroded material in white vinegar for 24 hours and the rust will melt away.
• Baking soda isn’t only useful for making cookies. It is a powerful cleaning agent as well. You can’t just use the powder, however. You need to create a paste by mixing baking soda and a small amount of water. This paste can then be applied to corroded material for a few hours before scrubbing it away.
• A mixture of lemon and salt has the same acidic, cleaning properties as white vinegar. You need to create a paste using lemon juice and salt for the most effective outcome.
• Potatoes have also been proven to help clean rust. You may not want to waste a perfectly good potato, but it can really help. Cut a potato in half, and then apply salt to the potato. Scrub the inside of the potato over the rusted area to clean it.
• Sandpaper is a useful tool to help get off the stubborn corrosion. This won’t clean the rust on its own but can help loosen it up with one of the other options above.