Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Factors To Consider When Choosing Shaft Seals

By Gwen Lowe


The decision to choose a shaft seal for specific application can be encircled by doubts and dissatisfaction. Considering that a person has to choose from the various shaft seals available that have different specifications, making an informed decision on which to choose can be a great challenge. However, there are various factors, which people should consider to make their selection simpler.

Among the primary things to know is whether the shaft and the seal has the same temperature range. It is advisable you choose a seal whose temperature does not vary greatly with the operating temperature of the shafts. This is to avoid cases in which the seal would wear out after a short time due to being exposed to more temperatures than it can withstand.

Most seal types are not resilient to pressure impacts. This means if exposed to extreme pressures, their performance and lifespan can be reduced. However, some manufacturers can design customized sealing components that can resist the impacts of pressure. As a result, it is important to know whether the sealing you choose can resist pressure impacts.

You also need to know the kind of finishing in the shafts. Mostly, if you seal badly polished shafts, they will tend to wear out quickly to cause leakages. The shafts would also develop some malfunctioning issues after a short time of operation, if the polish marks and the fluid do not move towards the same direction when the shafts are rotating. It is for this reason that people should make sure the surface of the shafts is maintained well.

People also need to choose a seal that matches their desires and specifications. A person is required to decide whether to go for leather or synthetic seals. Before you decide to choose any of these two, you need to remember that rubber can resist the impacts of shaft finishes better than synthetic. In addition, rubber generates a self-lubricated sealing with no or little lubrication.

Another vital factor to consider is where the potential seal would be used. Manufacturers use different materials when coating surfaces depending on where they want such coats to be used. The materials used to make the coatings that are used on acidic conditions would have better resistance to acidity than the ones used in corrosive environments. You should know the condition of the potential application before you decide to choose certain coatings.

The speeds at which certain shafts move vary greatly. The best seal to suit for specific applications depend on the finish, run-out and the eccentricity of the shafts. The quantity and the type of lubrication can affect the type of seal to be used. As such, you need to consider these factors before you decide to choose certain sealant.

When shopping for any type of product, you should know various things. Some of these are the performance, the quality and design of such products. As you choose a seal for your shafts, you should also consider these factors before making your decision on which to choose. This is because not all shafts or coats are the same.




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