There are quite a number of factors to put into consideration when you’re choosing the right oil seal for your application. Some of them are discussed below.
Figure 4 shows the features of a JTEKT oil seal.
From this kind of standard immersion testing, one would expect that bisphenol-cured VDF/HFP/TFE fluoroelastomers would not give good service life as oil seals. Similar tests with other elastomers, such as HNBR, silicone, and acrylic rubbers, show less loss of elongation. However, it is found that, in actual service, FKM shaft seals6 have much longer service life than seals of the other elastomers. In a Japanese study of FKM lip seals, rear crankshaft seals from high-mileage automobiles (70,000–280,000 mi ie, 110,000–450,000 km) were collected and examined. No serious oil leakage was found when the seals were removed from the engines. Some deposits were found around the seal lip and on the garter spring holding the lip against the shaft. No surface cracks were found on the seal lip, and only minor crazing on the crankcase side of the flexure portion of the seal in some samples. The seal compositions were not noted, but most were probably VDF/HFP/TFE elastomers with 68–69% fluorine content.
There are several materials used to manufacture oil seals. They are discussed below.
2. Oil seal structure and functions
Several variables, including maximum temperatures, required lubricants, available space, and more, may influence your choice of bearing seal. Each factor can affect the type of bearing best for your application, the amount of material required, and other factors. Although the choice of seals is crucial to the effectiveness of your bearings, you don’t have to make that choice alone. Our experts at NBC bearings can collaborate with you to identify the bearings and bearing seals that provide the best, most affordable solution for your application, environment, and finished product.
Choosing high-quality oil seals for your roller bearings, precision bearings, and more is an important decision, so at Emerson Bearing Company, we do more than manufacture oil seals. We draw from over 50 years of expertise in the area of bearings and bearing-related components so that our team can help you choose the right oil seals for your exact needs, regardless of the nature and complexity of your application. Should we not have a particular part in stock in our vast inventory, we also utilize a worldwide sourcing network to deliver on premium products. The Emerson team strives to provide a one-stop experience for our customers, from sourcing and budgeting to assistance in oil seal selection and timely delivery with same-day shipping options.