The stationary and rotary seal faces are molded individually from a variety of materials

The Advantages of a Silicon Carbide Seal

A Silicon Carbide Seal is an advanced seal design with the ability to prevent leakage and increase the lifespan of a water pump. It is comprised of a stationary (or rotating) seal face and an inboard rotary seal face that rub together to create heat and seal fluid.

The stationary and rotary seal faces are molded individually from a variety of materials. Some of these include carbon graphite, sintered silicon carbide, tungsten carbide and duplex carbide. The selection of seal rings for a particular application is based on the mechanical needs, design and operating conditions.

Hardness & wear resistance: These are important properties in selecting seal faces that will resist the wear of high speed, pressure and temperature applications. They are especially useful for abrasive processes and applications where the seal face will be exposed to harsh chemicals or other contaminants.

Chemical resistance: This is another important consideration in determining the selection of seal face materials. The material must be resistant to chemicals that can cause premature wear and failure. It must also be able to withstand high temperatures and be capable of absorbing media such as oil or grease for improved lubrication and sealing performance.

Durability: In addition to its excellent chemical resistance, a silicon carbide seal face is durable and can withstand abrasions. It can be used in a wide range of applications including cyclone components, spray nozzles and other parts that are exposed to abrasive materials and corrosive environments.

These high quality seal face materials offer the best combination of toughness, stiffness, flexural strength, corrosion and wear resistance, as well as thermal conductivity, for sealing applications that require high speeds, low deflection, and a variety of operating temperatures. These high-performance materials are particularly ideal for dry gas seal assemblies that operate in a variety of environments and require low thermal expansion from high temperatures.

The abrasion resistance of these seal face materials makes them an effective solution for abrasive applications, where other seal face materials can become worn or damaged very quickly. They are a great choice for water pumps and other industrial applications where the seal face will be exposed to abrasive media such as oil or grease.

Reaction-bonded and sintered silicon carbide are two common forms of this type of seal ring material. These are formed from a matrix of silicon carbide powder and free carbon that has been infiltrated with molten silicon. The molten silicon reacts with the free carbon to form a dense, solid part that is less prone to cracking or breaking than other seal ring materials.

Compared to other seal ring materials, reaction-bonded silicon carbide has better tribological behavior for applications that require lower P-V duty. These seals are also more abrasion and erosion resistant than other hard face combinations.

These seals are also more conductive than other material types, and their low coefficient of friction minimizes the energy required to rotate the pump and prevent the seal from locking up when it is inactive. They are also less brittle and do not expand as much as other seal ring materials, which reduces distortion.