Rubber Mechanical Seals are used in a wide range of industries

Types of Rubber Mechanical Seals

Rubber Mechanical Seals are used in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, food processing, manufacturing, and hydraulics. They provide airtight sealing that prevents entry of water, air, and dirt as well as prevents leakage of fluid.

Seals are an essential component of any machine, as they protect components from damage and ensure the integrity of the system. They are designed to seal different types of joining surfaces, including flanges, valves, and piping joints. In addition to providing protection, seals also help maintain lubrication.

Mechanical seals are typically fabricated from metal or rubber. They are available in a variety of shapes, designs, and sizes to accommodate different joint configurations. They can be installed using a specialized hand tool or another type of installation tool.

They also require careful installation and inspection, as they can be susceptible to premature failure due to improper assembly or installation. This includes the use of a suitable lubricant, the correct installation tool, and proper maintenance.

Rubber consists of large molecules, or polymers, which are long chains of repeating units, called monomers. The main properties of rubber depend on the number, location, and type of these monomers. Several hydrocarbons are commonly used as monomers in rubber compounding, including ethylene, methylene, propylene, butadiene, isoprene, and fluorocarbons.

Elastomers, which are the largest class of polymers in rubbers, are characterized by their ability to return to their original shape under pressure. This resilience is due to the elastic nature of polymers, which allows them to expand, deform, and contract in response to the forces acting on them.

The properties of elastomers can be further altered by incorporating additives and curatives. These materials can impart additional properties, such as elasticity, low-temperature performance, and chemical resistance.

Poron is a polyurethane rubber that offers a combination of acoustic, thermal, and chemical resistance and has excellent resilience and shock absorption properties. It is widely used as a gasket material in many industrial applications, including automotive and aerospace.

Nitrile, or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), is a synthetic rubber compounded with acrylonitrile and butadiene. This rubber has excellent resistance to fuels, oils, and petroleum-based solvents and is ideal for sealing automotive engine parts.

Typical applications of NBR include cylinder liner sealing, transmission and gear case seals, and valve stems. They are primarily fabricated from synthetic rubbers, although natural rubber is occasionally used as well.

There are a number of types of rubber, each with its own unique characteristics and properties. These vary according to the polymer chain used to make the compound and the auxiliary additives and curatives included in the formula.

For example, silicone elastomers are formulated to have excellent chemical, oil, and heat resistance. They are also abrasion-resistant and are popular for high-temperature, vibration-sensitive applications.

Other elastomers include thermoplastics, which can be manufactured from a variety of polymers. These compounds are softer than elastomers and have low-temperature performance, making them suitable for low-pressure applications.

Radial lip seals are another application for rubber technology, with a design that typically involves a single rubber lip. These designs can handle relatively low pressure-velocity values and are often used for shaft/bore rotation, reciprocation, or a combination of these.