Industrial seals and sealing solutions

Frequently asked questions — Sealing

• How do I choose between a mechanical seal and a rotating shaft seal?

  The choice depends on the equipment and the application. Lip seals, classified as rotating shaft seals, seal a rotating shaft at peripheral speeds up to 25 m/s. Conversely, mechanical seals replace stuffing boxes on industrial pumps. They use contact between precision-ground flat faces for fluids, with single-acting options for clean fluids or double-acting with a barrier fluid for hazardous or abrasive products.
• Which family of seals should be used to seal between two fixed parts?

  For assemblies between fixed parts, static seals are the appropriate choice. This category includes O-rings conforming to ISO 3601 and AS 568 standards, as well as flat gaskets, quad-rings and shoulder seals. The material should be selected according to the constraints: NBR for standard applications, FKM for temperature and hydrocarbons, EPDM for hot water and steam, or silicone.
• What are the criteria for selecting an anti-vibration mount?

  Selecting an anti-vibration mount, or silent block, relies on two key technical parameters: the target natural frequency, typically set at 1/√2 of the excitation frequency, and the static load per mount. These components are also chosen according to the orientation of the forces, whether in compression, shear or conical loading. They isolate equipment from the supporting structure to limit the transmission of vibrations and structural noise.
• Which material should I choose for a seal in contact with mineral oils?

  For compatibility with mineral oils and fuels under standard conditions, NBR (nitrile) is the recommended material, withstanding a temperature range of -30 to +100 °C. If the temperature is higher or the medium contains aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents, FKM (Viton) is preferable as it resists up to 200 °C continuously. EPDM is strictly incompatible with mineral oils.
• How can I distinguish between standard solutions and special seals?

  Standard families, such as rotating shaft seals or static seals, comply with established dimensional standards such as ISO 3601, AS 568 or DIN 3760. When technical requirements are not covered by these references, the Miscellaneous category brings together special solutions. This includes labyrinth seals, magnetic seals, felt seals, metal bellows seals, as well as bespoke manufacturing and made-to-order cut gaskets.