What is a Lip Seal?
When performing routine maintenance procedures for a pump or gearbox, the most common issue one is faced with pertains to the system's lip seal. Often the root of a pump or gearbox issue after such parts have been rebuilt, a lip seal is a part that almost always has to be replaced during such procedures. Whether a lip seal has reached the end of its life and must be replaced, or it was damaged upon part disassembly, proper fitting seals for the right applications can mitigate the need for potential lip seal replacement. Used for the purpose of separating contaminants from an apparatus housing lubricants, lip seals come in a myriad of options to best suit the sealing properties of a particular application.
Useful for containing fluids within their respective area, lip seals are specifically designed and manufactured to suit various equipment and their functions. As such, lip seals come in a variety of types to support rotary, reciprocating, and oscillating shafts. However, as compared to standard seals, all lip seals come included with a lip to serve as an additional sealant for parts under constant motion to reduce the likelihood of contaminant transmission. Commonly referred to as rotary shaft seals or oil seals because of their standard place of application, without these components assisting lubricated moving parts, valve and rotary systems risk compromising their performance. Leaving room for part failure and system malfunctions if an improper seal is applied, oil seals can be made from various rubbers to promote the complex functions of various moving parts.
As parts continually exposed to lubricants, grit, and perpetual motion cause wear over time, it is eventually necessary for all lip seals to be replaced. When replacing a lip seal, whether from general wear and tear or damage from a rebuild, continual factors exerted on a seal should be considered before choosing your next seal. To promote a seal's reinforced application along a valve or shaft, one must consider what lubricants are currently being used and if they are compatible with a chosen seal. Alongside choosing a seal based on what lubricants are currently being used in a system, environmental factors like temperature should also be taken into account.
Alongside utilizing the right seals for your machinery, equipment like seal diggers and other installation tools can make all the difference when maximizing part reliability. Requiring even placement around the circumference of a shaft or various relatable assemblies, seal diggers promote equal pressure around a seal for secure installation. Important for the use of ensuring a lip seal is firmly situated and without gaps, choosing to disregard adequate seal placement methods is likely to result in unwanted contamination of materials present in your machinery. Lip seals are also often located in areas prone to excess heat, making it critical that the materials used to create your chosen lip seal are able to sustain their form when under stress.
Practicing proactive seal maintenance and replacing failing items before they go bad can save you a great deal of time and money down the road. At AOG Purchasing, it is important for us to ensure you receive the parts you need with full transparency and without delay. As your trusted supplier of various seals and their accompanying parts, we invite you to browse our inventory for numerous lip seals, rotary seals, Vilton seals, oscillating shafts, hydraulic pumps, and more. Due to our quality control and export compliance, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation. If you would like to request a quote for your comparisons, you can submit an RFQ form as provided on our website. Upon receipt, a dedicated account manager will quickly review and respond with a personalized solution to your needs in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.
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