The depth of the bonded seal can be less and the space between the bore and the outside diameter can be changed for ease of fitting. The bonding of rubber to metal is an important factor to be considered in the manufacture of such seals and should be considered carefully, since failure of the bond will cause the seal to fail. The metal case of the oil seal is usually made from mild steel of deep drawing quality which enables blanking, punching, stamping of the steel to the required dimensions.
Oil seals come in various shapes to fit the machines and substances to be sealed.
Figure 2 shows the structure and the names of the various components of the most typical oil seal.
The functions of the various components are also indicated in Table 1.
Several variables must be considered when selecting oil seals. The physical dimensions and materials will vary depending on the environment of use. In addition, oil seals must remain lightweight, compact, and exhibit high self-lubrication performance.
Figure 2: Necessity of spring
Hydrogenated Nitrile/Highly saturated Nitrile
A standard oil seal consists of an outer circular metal disk with an inner flexible rubber which is affixed to the metal during vulcanization. The bonded seal has no loose parts to allow leakage of oil or ingress of any contaminants. This kind of seal is more accurate, and can easily be fitted into a smaller space. An example is shown in Figure 2.9.
The simplest way is to know either the preferred manufacturers part number, the overall sizes of shaft diameter, housing diameter and bore depth, or use our brochure to establish the M Barnwell Services ordering reference. Many of the old traditional names of seal manufacturers have either changed or disappeared in this age of “acquisitions”. If no longer available, we will advise you and offer a suitable alternative seal, from stock whenever possible. If your concern is getting the right seals for the job, you will need to know something about the application as well as the overall sizes. If you have any doubts – contact us, we will help in your seal selection.
Regular maintenance and inspection of shaft oil seals are essential to ensure their proper functioning and prevent costly downtime and repairs. Signs of a worn or damaged seal include oil leaks, increased noise or vibration, and decreased efficiency. If any of these symptoms are detected, it is important to replace the seal promptly to avoid further damage to the machinery.