Lip seal SPI

elastomericfor rotating shaftsfor rotary actuators

Rotary Shaft Seals What Is the Purpose of a Seal? Today there is a wide selection of designs available for use in rotary applications. They range from the traditional single and double lip elastomeric configurations to PTFEbased designs. Even more complex designs incorporate multiple lips, differing materials and hybrid labyrinth designs. The purpose of this reference guide is to assist engineers and maintenance professionals in selecting the best design for a specific application based on service life requirements and cost objectives. One of the most common purposes of a lip seal is to protect the bearing that is used to support a shaft in a rotating application. Retaining the bearing lubricant and keeping it clean ensures maximum bearing life and increases the overall service life of the equipment. Such applications include automotive wheels, electric motors, pumps, gearboxes and large rolls used in steel and paper manufacturing. Radial lip seals are used throughout industries in a variety of other applications under a wide range of operating conditions. These conditions can vary from high-speed shaft rotation with light oil mist to low speed reciprocating shaft in muddy environments. Radial lip seals can be found sealing lube oil in high speed crankshaft applications for gasoline and diesel engines that operate from the tropics to the arctic, in submarines, oil tankers, spacecraft, windmills, steel mills, paper mills, refineries, farm tractors, appliances and automobiles. In fact, they can be found in anything that has a rotating shaft.