PTFE spring-energized seals are a popular choice for engineers. The reasons are many, including their long service life, even wear, and their ability to perform in some of the harshest environments. They work well in extreme temperatures; can even perform well in situations where operating conditions can vary significantly. They usually offer a low compression set, have a long shelf life, and work very well in non-lubricated applications. The use of PTFE results in extremely low friction and excellent chemical compatibility and users can choose from a variety of spring energizers.
As one of the key components of spring energized PTFE seals, each of these energizers offers a different set of characteristics that allow engineers to find just the type of seal to suit their applications needs. In this article, we are going to look at five different categories of energizers, and in what conditions they provide the best service: coil springs, V springs, helical flat springs, cantilevered finger springs, and elastomeric O-rings.
Need more energizing? Check out these informative PTFE Spring Energized Seals articles from the Advanced EMC Technologies blog: