We have the answers to all your questions about fluid seals and polyurethane products.
What are sealing products?
A sealing product is typically used to create an air-tight and water-tight seal, for example, in hydraulic and pneumatic pumps.
What is a seal?
Seals are used in various industries to prevent unwanted liquid and gas leakage in components like pumps, valves, pipe fittings, and vacuum seals, to name a few.
What are the benefits of seals?
Rubber and Polyurethane retain a high degree of flexibility even at very low temperatures, which means it will absorb any pressure applied to it and mould itself to the contours of the groove or gland into which it is placed. Since they can withstand extreme temperatures on both ends of the temperature spectrum, seals are ideal in environments with large temperature swings. In addition, rubber and polyurethane are highly durable materials that will absorb pressure and form an impervious seal that grows in strength in direct proportion to the forces applied to it. It will also keep this integrity for long periods.
Furthermore, rubber and polyurethane are highly malleable materials that can be easily shaped and sized, making it ideal for use in various applications and industries. Many rubbers and polyurethanes are non-toxic materials that will not compromise any substance it comes in contact with or any environment in which it is placed. It is a popular choice for the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries because it does not impart odours or flavours to surrounding mechanisms.
Finally, rubber and polyurethanes are compatible with other materials. As a result, they can be easily mixed with other substances to improve certain aspects of the seal, like their tolerance to extreme temperatures, compression capabilities, and life span.
What material is used for seals?
Seals are available in various formulations and grades, each with unique properties that make it suitable for a variety of applications. Common types of elastomers used to create seals include:
- Butyl rubber
- Cloth-inserted rubber
- Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)
- Natural rubber
- Neoprene
- Nitrile (Buna-N)
- Polyurethane
- Silicone rubber
- Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
- Viton®
What is hydraulic sealing?
A hydraulic seal is a relatively soft, non-metallic ring captured in a groove or fixed in a group of rings to block or separate fluid in reciprocating motion applications. Hydraulic seals are critical components in machinery. Their application is crucial for converting fluid power to linear motion.
A hydraulic cylinder may contain one of six different types of seals and are either static or dynamic. They include:
- Piston seals
- Rod seals
- Rotary seals
- Static seals
- Wear rings
- Wipers
What is a fluid seal?
A fluid or mechanical seal is a way of containing fluid within a vessel, typically pumps, mixers, etc., where a rotating shaft passes through a stationary housing. In rare instances, the housing rotates around the shaft. The challenge of sealing a centrifugal pump is to allow a rotating shaft to enter the ‘wet’ area of the pump while preventing large volumes of pressurised fluid from escaping. As a result, a seal must be created between the shaft and the pump housing that can contain the pressure of the process being pumped and withstand the friction caused by the shaft rotating.
How are seals manufactured?
There are various production methods for vulcanising and producing synthetic rubber seals. However, mould technology is the most often used. Compression moulding is ideal for producing small quantities of products or for use in a research and development project to make simple and low-cost modifications to a product that, once approved, can be transferred to a mould with multiple cavities. In addition to compression moulding, transfer and injection moulding are often used.
Alternative production methods include:
Extrusion: As a production machine, an extruder and an extruding die are used to produce profiles, O-ring cords, and hoses on reels.
Die-cutting: Using a die-cutting press and a die as a production tool, flat rings/gaskets are produced from solid rubber, cellular rubber, and sponge rubber.
TPE prototyping: The production of samples in TPE materials using a 3D printer to determine the functionality of the geometry of an intended seal in the construction without the need for a pilot mould.
Contact Fuzion Trading for details
Fuzion Trading works with and stocks a wide range of rubber seals for industrial and commercial applications. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about our specialised range of fluid seals. Alternatively, you can continue browsing our website for more information.