The Crucial Role of Seals in Industrial Systems

  • 2024.12.20
  • Knowledge

In mechanical applications, industrial systems, hydraulic systems, and other systems, seals play an irreplaceable and important role. They prevent leakage, maintain stable pressure, and ensure efficient and safe operation of equipment in the system. Different seals are used in different systems and equipment. Understanding the importance of seals in industrial systems is one of the key factors to maintain stable operation of the system. 

Common Types of Seals

Seals can be divided into many types according to different classification methods. The following are some common types of seals.

Classification By Use

  • Static Seals: Gaskets, O-rings. They are mainly used to prevent fluid leakage, especially for sealing between fixed joints and flanges. They have the advantages of simple structure, easy installation and adaptability to various working conditions.
  • Dynamic Seals: Piston rings, shaft seals. This type of seal is mainly used for sealing between moving parts and has high wear resistance and pressure resistance.

Classification By Seal Shape

  • O-Ring: It is "O" shaped, simple and easy to use, and has good sealing performance. At the same time, it is widely used and suitable for static and dynamic sealing.
  • U-Ring: It is wear-resistant and high-pressure resistant, suitable for the piston and rod parts of hydraulic cylinders.
  • V-Ring: It has good adaptability and is suitable for bearings and rotating equipment.
  • Y-Ring: This seal has strong sealing performance, long service life and excellent durability.

Classification By Working Environment

  • High Temperature Seal: Excellent heat resistance, can withstand temperatures over 200°C, used in boilers, engines and other equipment. 
  • Low Temperature Seal: Good low temperature resistance, suitable for sub-zero environments, such as refrigeration equipment.
  • High Pressure Seal: This seal has extremely high-pressure resistance, can effectively prevent leakage, suitable for hydraulic equipment and high-pressure pipelines.
  • Anti-Corrosion Seal: Suitable for equipment handling corrosive chemicals.

Common Materials of Seals

The performance of different materials directly affects the life and reliability of seals. Therefore, it is very important to choose seals made of suitable materials. The main materials of seals are as follows.

Rubbers

  • NBR: Excellent oil resistance, widely used in hydraulic oil, lubricating oil and other scenarios. 
  • FKM: Excellent high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, suitable for use in harsh systems and environments. 
  • EPDM: Good ozone resistance and aging resistance, suitable for use in systems and environments that transport water and steam. 
  • Silicone Rubber: Silicone rubber has excellent temperature resistance and can operate stably in high and low temperature environments. It is very suitable for use in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. 

Plastics

  • PTFE: PTFE has good high temperature resistance and chemical resistance, and can be used in systems with high sealing requirements.
  • Nylon: It has high strength and is very suitable for dynamic sealing.
  • PU: This material has good elasticity, is very wear-resistant, and has good durability, making it suitable for high-pressure hydraulic systems.

Metals

  • Stainless Steel: It has good pressure resistance and corrosion resistance, suitable for systems that require metal gaskets and seals. 
  • Nickel-Based Alloy: Seals made of this metal material are suitable for use in high-temperature and highly corrosive systems and environments.

Advantages of Seals in Industrial Systems

Seals have many advantages, which make them play an important role in industrial systems.

High Pressure Resistance

Seals can withstand pressures of up to hundreds of megapascals in industrial systems, ensuring that the fluid medium transmitted in the system will not leak. For example, in a hydraulic press, seals that can withstand high pressure can effectively prevent liquid leakage and keep the system running stably.

Wear Resistance

Because the fluid in the industrial system is always in motion, it will cause wear on the surface of the seal. Therefore, seals are usually made of wear-resistant materials to extend their service life. For example, in a system that requires uninterrupted transmission of fluid media, the wear resistance of the seal is the key to ensure its long-term operation. Such seals with excellent wear resistance will also have a long service life and good durability.

Wide Temperature Resistance Range

Industrial systems are often accompanied by high or low temperature environments, and the temperature resistance range of seals is very wide, and they can maintain stable performance even at extreme temperatures. For example, in oil field drilling equipment, the temperature conditions are very harsh, and the seals can also operate stably.

Easy Installation

Seals are usually quick and easy to install, requiring very little equipment and system downtime, which can effectively improve the efficiency of maintenance and replacement.

Application of Seals in Different Industries

The seals required by systems in different industries are also different. Before choosing a seal, make an appropriate choice based on your industry.

Petrochemical Industry

Seals can be used to prevent chemical leaks and cope with extreme temperatures and corrosive environments. Corrosion-resistant PTFE and metal materials are usually used for seals. 

Food and Beverage Industry

In this industry, it is necessary to select seals with food-grade standards, such as EPDM and silicone rubber, to ensure the safety and hygiene of the food and beverages being transported.

Medical industry

The medical industry also has high requirements for seals, because they need to be used in sterile equipment and systems, so they need to meet medical and health requirements while ensuring sealing. The material of the seal needs to not react with the transmitted drug medium to avoid affecting the quality of the medium.

Aerospace Industry

This industry requires seals that are resistant to high temperatures and pressures, and usually chooses seals made of graphite composite materials or metal materials to ensure superior sealing performance.

Selection Criteria for Seals

Working Environment

Select different seals according to different system working environments. For example, fluor rubber is suitable for high temperature environments, while silicone rubber is more suitable for extremely low temperature environments.

Chemical Corrosion Resistance

In an environment with many corrosive substances, such as acid, alkali, and solvents, it is necessary to select seals with high corrosion resistance, such as fluor rubber and PTFE, to ensure that the seals can perform their due effects in a long-term and stable manner.

Service Life

Considering the use effect of seals, good durability and long service life are essential. Choosing seals with high-cost performance and long service life can effectively reduce the cost of long-term operation, maintenance and replacement.

Conclusion

It is obvious that industrial systems cannot do without the key role of seals. Choosing the right seals for different industries and systems can effectively reduce operating costs and improve operating efficiency. They can provide good air tightness for the system and are widely used in industries such as chemical industry, automotive industry, oil and gas. 

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