Small Diameter Spring Energized Seals
by Sara McCaslin, PhD Sara McCaslin, PhD No Comments

PTFE Rotary Shaft Seals versus PTFE Spring-Energized Seals

PTFE is an excellent material for seals: it has extremely low friction, can operate in extreme temperatures, is dimensionally stable, available in FDA approved grades, and is compatible with a wide range of chemicals. When it comes to seals for rotating shafts, PTFE is often used with both standard rotary shaft seals as well as spring-energized seals.

Are rotary shaft seals the same as spring-energized seals? The short answer is no, they are not. While they serve many of the same purposes, the application for which you are using the seal will determine which type of PTFE seal you select.

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Factors Influencing PTFE Seal Behavior: The PV Limit – Part 2 in a 3 Part Series

The performance of a dynamic PTFE seal depends greatly on the pressure and shaft velocity involved. In reality, a seal is in contact with only a small area of rotating shaft, which means that the dynamic forces and energy are going to be concentrated there. Much of the energy that comes from the shaft is going to be dissipated in two forms: wear and frictional heat, both of which can reduce the useful life of a seal. An increase in the force that holds the seal lip against the shaft or an increase in the speed of the shaft makes the effects of wear and heat even worse.

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