An oil seal is designed to perform three major functions: to prevent lubricants from leaking outside the seal even under high pressure, to act as a barrier to retain the lubricating oil, and to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the unit.
- A U-shaped silicone gasket, as the name suggests, is a ring-shaped seal with a distinctive 'U' cross-section. It's primarily composed of silicone, a material renowned for its remarkable flexibility, durability, and temperature resistance. Silicone, being a synthetic rubber, offers a wide range of benefits that make it ideal for various applications. It can withstand extreme temperatures, from sub-zero environments to scorching heat, making it suitable for both domestic and industrial use.
The care taken during the installation process will pay off by allowing the seal to work quietly and operate efficiently behind the scenes of your application.
Guide to oil seals for your application
What are Oil Seals? 6 Things DIYers Should Know
-20 °C to + 130 °C
For many bearings, a good bearing seal is essential. Bearing seals perform a dual function by keeping lubricants from leaking out while preventing impurities from entering your parts. Both procedures can help your bearings last longer, but choosing the proper seals for your components is critical. Different types of bearing seals include:
Plug tube gasket
Figure 5: JTEKT seal numbering system
Table 6: Codes and numbers used in seal numbers
There are a wide range of oil seals to select from for any number of uses, so this guide will break down the most common seals to help you choose the right one for whatever piece of machinery you are working on.
Leather
Recommended for abrasive applications
Good running properties, due to the impregnated seal lip
Can be used on shafts which have a surface roughness outside the range for rubber seals
Not suitable for water
Oil seals are used in any industrial application that has a rotating or moving part assembly. This includes: