Have you ever thought what causes lubricant leakage in hydraulic machines, pumping systems, automotive equipments and gear cases? Wrong choice, improper installation, incorrect application and irregular maintenance lead to leakage condition. It can be controlled once you know about the selection procedures, right type of sealing materials and consistent replacement and maintenance practices.
There are different varieties of oil seals are available in the market. Before they are bought, certain factors must be kept in mind.
Speed
The maximum allowance for the shaft speed depends on the shaft run out, housing bore, shaft finish and concentricity and the kind of lubricant sealed. The kind of material chosen for the seal also makes a great difference. For instance, the CFW Oil Seal offers the best sealing option since it is made of quality material.
Temperature
When it comes to selecting the right oil seal, like the CR Oil Seal, the range of temperature must be taken into account. The temperature range during the installation of the seal should not go beyond that of the seal elastomer.
Pressure
Oil seals are mostly designed to tolerate low-pressure usages. However, in case any additional pressure is present or expected from inside, it is extremely important release pressure.
Shaft hardness
If the shaft has a Rockwell hardness of about 30 or more, the seal can be expected to last long. In fact, when it is exposed to extreme impurity, the hardness of the shaft needs to be extended to RC 60.
Surface finish
To get the most functional sealing, the surface finish of the shaft must be at its optimum level. The direction of the spiral lead and the tool marks often make an effect on the seal’s working efficiency. In order to obtain the best sealing result, it is required to use ground or polished shafts that come with concentric finish tool marks. But if you still use spiral leads in shafts, you must ensure that the lead is placed toward the lubricant when the shaft moves in rotation.
Bore and shaft tolerances
In presence of bore and close shaft tolerances, the performance of the seal becomes optimized. This is evident in case of NAK Oil Seals.
Lubrication
The performance and longevity of an oil seal also depend on how often it is lubricated with oil. The lubricant must have proper viscosity to go with the application of the seal and the material of the seal lip elastomer.