Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals are tools used to prevent leakage in all kinds of equipment. “Mechanical seal” is the broadest way to describe a seal.
Quick links to Mechanical Seals Information
Types of Mechanical Seals
- O-Rings
- Lip Seals
- Oil Seals
- Hydraulic Cylinder Seals
- Piston Seals
- Flange Gaskets
- Diaphragm Seals
Mechanical seals are intended for applications in which a rotating shaft and its housing are under a state of stress, including a combination of high pressure, temperature, and speed.
Mechanical Seals Prevention
Mechanical seal varieties are used to prevent:
- Unwanted Release of Pressure
- Lubricants
- Hydraulic Fluids
- Other Properties of a System That Makes Use of Them
- The Contamination of Those Systems by Dirt and Other Hazards
Equipment Using Mechanical Seals
- Agitators
- Mixers
- Gas Seals
- Pumps
- Valves
- Actuators
Benefits of Mechanical Seals
- Preventing Leaks
- Keep Contaminants From Entering
- Help to Maintain Pressure Levels
Design of Mechanical Seals
Most mechanical seals are specially designed to prevent leaks in particular applications and cannot be interchanged with those seals used in other mechanisms. A piston seal, for example, cannot be used as a flange gasket; they are shaped differently, made out of different materials, and feature different mechanical properties of a given mechanical seal always depends on the conditions in which it will be applied.
Also, depending on the narrowness or broadness of a given understanding of the words “mechanical seal,” certain kinds of seals may or may not qualify. Simple plastic lids qualify by the broadest definitions, while some of the strictest definitions might only include seals applied in industrial process equipment or in heavy machinery. In either case, mechanical seals perform the same task: to isolate and contain materials in an enclosure.
Pairing of Mechanical Seals
Correctly pairing seals with their applications is essential to the safe and effective use of the equipment in which they are installed. For example, Teflon is often chosen for use in hydraulic cylinders because it is resistant to corrosion induced by exposure to hydraulic fluids. Natural rubber, on the other hand, may degrade when exposed to such chemicals. The decision to employ a given seal material should always be chosen carefully; this will ensure sustained effective and safe operation of the seal and the equipment it protects.