It is amazing how the tiniest parts can affect performance in such a large way. Like the small cog in a clock or a tiny gear in an engine, these things seem insignificant. But the reality is that without them, the part as a whole will not function. Seals are one of those small parts that are required for proper functionality. Without the right seal, you can expect many problems. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced manufacturers and distributors of seals and will help you with tips on how to properly engineer them to get peak performance.
Why You Need a Seal
Unless you work with machines and components that involve fluid, you may not realize how important a seal is. You also may not realize that seals are in a lot of things in your house. They play a key role in the functionality of our daily lives. The main reason to use a seal is to keep fluids in and contaminants out. You are essentially “sealing” an area from letting anything in or out. There are many different styles of seals that all lend themselves to different scenarios. Some are more durable than others, and most need pressure and lubrication to work efficiently. Without a seal that works properly, you are lowering the integrity of the entire mechanism. If you want the best performance out of your mechanical seal, then follow these tips below.
Pressure Requirement
As stated above, most seals require pressure to do their job effectively. The caveat is that too much pressure can deform the seal. Be aware that there is always potential for pressure to spike. Make sure that the seal can handle that increase in pressure. But also be sure to account for the low pressure. When testing a seal, it would be an oversight to only test its performance at the highest level of pressure. In reality, the seal will be under a lower amount of pressure for the majority of its life.
Seal Environment
A seal will have various load weights it must handle. The impact from these loads, such as pistons or rods, can possibly wear out the seal. Most machines that require a seal are not static, but a moving and dynamic mechanism. There are many parts that make up the whole, and the seal needs to be able to coexist with the other parts. Do not neglect the impact conditions that the seal will need to handle. The speed of these other components is very important as well. Because machines are dynamic, they will have different motions and speed changes occurring regularly. The internal components and their speed can change the movement of the fluid or gas that the seal is meant to contain. Test for all likely scenarios with this environment in mind. Make sure vibrations, misalignment, and deformation will not negatively affect your seal.
Temperature Changes
As humans, we think of temperature as a mostly stagnant, predictable function. If it’s 40 degrees outside, it’s cold; if it’s 99 degrees outside, it’s hot. This is not the case for the machines that have seals. Although the exterior and interior temperatures need to be considered, that is not the only temperature factor at play. As mechanical components move, they can cause heat from the friction. Be sure to account for this increased temperature. Find a seal rated for the increase of frictional heat.
Installation
The most common reason for premature failure of seals is improper installation. Because there are many different types of seals, know which one is right for which scenario. It’s one thing for a seal to fail under conditions it was meant to handle, it’s another thing for the seal to fail due to poor installation.
Time to Replace
Seals are constantly under stress, so time is not on their side. Be sure that seals are replaced when they begin to weaken. If seals are left longer than their lifespan, they can cause major trouble in other areas of the machine. Such a small part of the overall mechanism may seem insignificant, but that little part can throw everything out of order. If you need help understanding seals, be sure to talk with the experts at Real Seal.
