Advanced EMC introduced our FluoroSeal™ PTFE rotary shaft seals, or lip seals, in the early 1990s. The seals were designed to bridge the gap between conventional elastomeric lip seals and mechanical face seals. Hostile environments such as extreme temperature, aggressive media, high surface speeds, high pressures, and lack of lubrication forced the designer to specify expensive face seals which were more complicated mechanical face seals.
FluoroSeal PTFE lip seals provide the designer a significant improvement in performance over elastomeric lip seals at a much lower cost than the mechanical face seal. FluoroSeal PTFE rotary lip seals solve frictional heat problems in high speed rotary applications, which are not addressed by conventional elastomeric shaft seals.
We exceed the performance of the conventional rubber rotary shaft seals in the following areas:
- Available in hydrodynamic, plain and multi-lip configuration
- Wide range of materials to suit the demands of the application
- Low volume requirement can be constructed from machined shells (so there are no tooling charges)
- High volumes can be manufactured from pressed shells reducing unit costs
- Reduced breakout friction
- Much lower friction which generates less torque
- Less frictional heat and requires less power
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| Type | Description | Application |
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Standard Seal | Standard seals, also known as single lip seals, are a general-purpose rotary shaft seal that is ideal for moderate conditions. Great for both static and dynamic sealing, standard seals are chemically resistant and typically used when the operating pressure is less than 75 psi. |
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Rotary Seal with Dust Lip | Rotary seals with a dust lip, or excluder lip, provide an extra layer of protection against both contaminants and corrosion. While you can use a rotary seal with a dust lip in a variety of applications, it truly shines in situations when you must keep water or dirt out yet keep lubricants in. |
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Back to Back Lip Seal | With more protection than a standard seal, the back to back lip seal performs well in high-pressure applications. Also known as a dual opposed lip seal, this type of rotary seal is ideal for situations in which you need to keep two fluids completely separate from one another. With additional sealing power and the ability to perform well up to 125 psi, the back to back lip seal is a popular choice for a variety of applications. |
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Tandem Lip Seal | Although it is not recommended for applications involving contaminates, the tandem lip seal is used often for low leakage systems. Commonly known as a dual primary lip seal, this is an excellent solution for aircraft applications and vertical shafts. |
PTFE Materials Used for Dynamic Seals
When working with PTFE seals of any type, you must choose the right PTFE material, especially when a dynamic seal is concerned. Some of the most common PTFE materials include the following:
- Unfilled PTFE
- Glass-Filled PTFE
- Molybdenum Disulfide-Filled PTFE
- Molybdenum Disulfide and Glass-Filled PTFE
- Carbon-Filled PTFE
- Carbon and Molybdenum Disulfide-Filled PTFE
Here are a few characteristics of each type of PTFE materials to help direct your decision:
Unfilled PTFE
Unfilled, or virgin, PTFE, performs best in cryogenic environments. Approved by the FDA, unfilled PTFE can be used in food, dairy, or pharmaceutical applications. This material is best for situations where there is low or non-existent pressure.
Glass-Filled PTFE
The primary benefit of choosing glass-filled PTFE is the longevity and overall strength provided by the glass fibers or beads that fill the seal. Because glass-filled PTFE can be quite abrasive, it is important to choose another material if you are using it in conjunction with a low hardness value.
Molybdenum Disulfide-Filled PTFE
Molybdenum Disulfide-filled PTFE is less abrasive than its glass-filled counterpart yet features similar longevity and strength. While it is not recommended for softer shaft surfaces, it can prove invaluable in applications that use a harder material.
Carbon-Filled PTFE
The carbon filler used for carbon-filled PTFE comes in a variety of forms including fiber, powder, graphite, carbon, natural, or synthetic. Because carbon is a natural lubricant, it greatly increases the longevity of the PTFE seal. We recommend carbon-filled PTFE seals for the most aggressive environments in which steam, corrosive chemicals, high temperatures, and high pressures are involved.
Carbon-filled PTFE seals are perhaps the most versatile, working well with both soft and hard surfaces.
Do you have questions on how to choose the right type of PTFE Rotary Shaft Seal for your application? Our team of technical engineers is ready to assist you! Contact our team for more information.