Oil seals are available in an immense range of sizes, for shafts from a few millimetres to several metres. Once the shaft diameter, groove diameter (housing diameter) and groove width are known, selecting an appropriate oil seal is a simple task. An oil seal or its product description is usually associated with three dimensions, for example 6x15x4. These refer to the sizes of the hardware for which the oil seal is designed. In this example, this oil seal is suitable for: 6-mm shaft diameter x 15-mm groove diameter x 4-mm minimum groove width.
Despite being a great substitute for more expensive high temperature resistant materials, polyacrylate has a problem of poor water compatibility and cold flexibility.
Figure 1: Types of sealing devices
Oil seals are commonly made from materials such as rubber, silicone, or polyurethane, with each material offering different properties and advantages. Rubber seals are flexible and cost-effective, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Silicone seals offer high temperature resistance and chemical compatibility, while polyurethane seals are durable and abrasion-resistant.
Oil seals are also dirt, lip, shaft, and grease seals. They’re simple devices installed in rotary shaft equipment to minimize the risk of lubricant leakage and prevent other foreign substances such as water, dirt, and dust from entering.
For more detailed information, please see the following:
Names and functions of seal components
Are you looking for more information about the different materials, or do you have questions about which type of material you need, feel free to contact us.