Seals & Oil Seals

What are seals and oil seals?

Seals are special parts used to prevent lubricants from leaking outside a bearing and to protect it against contamination by acting as a barrier against dirt and other external contaminants. Oil seals, also known as dirt, fluid or grease seals, are used to prevent lubricant from escaping bearings. Like normal seals, oil seals also prevent contaminants from entering the bearing.

Industrial applications of seals are manifold and varied, spanning sectors such as power transmission, oil refineries, manufacturing, automotive and off-highway applications.

Importance of seals and oil seals

Seals and oil seals prevent the leakage of fluids from machines and ensure higher operational safety. Oil seals also help prevent corrosive moisture, abrasives and other contaminants from affecting machinery operations. They also prevent the mixing of oil and water. In turn, seals and oil seals increase the efficiency of machines, reduce risks of component failure, facilitate long-term performance and increase the durability of parts by minimizing external contamination. 

Best practices while buying seals and oil seals

Using the wrong types of seals and oil seals can cause considerable damage, machine failure and accidental spillage. Hence, when buying seals & oil seals consider the following: 

• Determine the size specification of seals and make sure that they fit your bearings and components.
• Consider the operating environment of your seal, this includes temperature and pressure. For example, in cases of extreme cold, PTFE is a good choice of material.
• Consider important local and government regulations on what seals are allowed to be used, including health and safety regulations in your country or region.
• Consider the chemical compatibility of your seals and applications to ensure that risks of damage to components are minimized.