What is the difference between mechanical seal and oil seal?

What is the difference between mechanical seal and oil seal?

The difference between mechanical seal and oil seal

Describe difference between mechanical seal and oil seal – Whether it is a mechanical seal or oil seal, it prevents the fluid seeping the liquid to other parts of the machine, or it keeps the rotating parts lubricated.

Both sealing types are popularly used in different mechanical engineering applications. How are they different? The article explains the fundamental working mechanism of both categories of seals.

Mechanical Seal

The mechanical seal is used in a pump, mixer and other mechanical engineering scenarios to contain the fluid within a vessel where a shaft rotates through a stationary (or rotating) housing.

Why is mechanical seal important in this situation? It is because the rotating shaft has to move in a wet environment, but there should not be the leakage of pressurized fluid. Hence, the role of a seal is quite critical.

Does it mean the seal stops the leakage completely? Well, on the practical grounds yes because there is no ‘visible leakage’.

There is a little leakage as the fluid vapors get released into the atmosphere from the faces of the seal, though. Since the quantity is hardly quantifiable, the seals are considered leak proof.

Qualities of mechanical seal

The seals do not damage pump sleeve or shaft.

Due to inboard springs that get adjusted as the seal faces wear, it is not required to do daily maintenance.

Mechanical seals cause less power consumption than gland packing because of the lightly loaded faces.

In mechanical seals, the lubricant doesn’t get washed out. Therefore, bearing contamination gets avoided in normal operational conditions.

Plant equipment remains corrosion free.

Relatively less maintenance and cleaning are required. It makes mechanical seals cost-effective.

Oil seals prevent accumulation of dirt in the machine.

Oil Seals

Oil seals close off the space between stationary and moving components in the mechanical equipment. It saves the lubricant from escaping through the equipment and ensures smooth operation of the machine.

Oil seals are called rotary shaft seal or radial lip also.

Benefits of oil seals

Oil seals prevent seeping of potentially hazardous contaminants like dirt or fluid in the running machine

These seals safeguard mixing of two things like oil and water

In the high-intensity work environment, oil seals play a vital role

Oil seals are long-lasting and sturdy

Oil seals can work relentlessly if the preventive and corrective maintenance is in place

Low wear and tear

Since oil seals are versatile and multipurpose, they are suitable for all types of mechanical engineering situations, e.g., manufacturing units, automobiles, pumps, etc.

When there is a need for rebuilding a cylinder and pump instead of building a new one.

It is possible to get custom-made seals manufactured at reasonable rates from good-quality manufacturers if the readymade seal specification doesn’t meet the requirement.

It is critically important that you choose the appropriate seal for an application. The seals should be ordered from a manufacturer of high repute. To get the best seals, it is important to give accurate design specifications. We describe the difference between mechanical seal and oil seal here.

Leak-Pack specialize in providing solutions to all types of leakages by manufacturing Mechanical Seals and Sealing Components as per customer’s drawings, samples or requirements. To know more about Mechanical Seal call on +91-(2739) 271592 or email at info@leakpack.com.

Read More Articles:

What is a Mechanical Seal in a Pump?

What are the parts of mechanical seal?

How does a mechanical seal function?

Difference Between One Single Lip Skeleton Oil Seal And One Double Lip Skeleton Oil Seal

Jul 18, 2019

Difference Between One Single Lip Skeleton Oil Seal And One Double Lip Skeleton Oil Seal

1, structure

The single lip skeleton oil seal has only a single sealing lip, and the double lip skeleton oil seal has two lips for sealing and dustproofing.

2. Use environment

Single lip skeleton oil seals are primarily used in environments with little or no dust and impurities, such as indoors or in tanks.

The double lip oil seal can be used in working environments with dust and impurities. The dust lip prevents dust and impurities from entering the cavity, so as not to damage the sealing lip and make the sealing lip lose its sealing effect.

What is a lip seal?

Category: Seals

At Martin’s Rubber we like to keep our clients informed about what we do, our products and our manufacturing processes. In this article, we look at lip seal design, dispel any confusion around the terminology of lip seals, and describe the manufacturing process behind them. We are often asked: what is a lip seal? It is a subject that causes some confusion. The specific design of a lip on any given seal will vary depending on the application. Many seal types have so-called lips as part of their design. This is not exclusive to radial, rotary, or linear shaft seals. Aside from acting as a dam or a barrier, lip seals also act as a pump and are widely used in conjunction with rotary, reciprocating and oscillating shafts. The main functions of a lip seal (also known as a radial or rotary seal, which we’ll come to shortly) are to retain lubricants, remove contaminants, confine pressure and separate fluids.

Radial seals vs rotary seals

Lips are an integral part of the design of wiper scraper seals, so these can technically be described as lip seals. However, it is worth noting though that there is not a standard for a design called a lip seal. Just to add to the confusion, radial seals (another branch of seals that are often described as lip seals) are also more commonly known as rotary seals here in the UK. Radial is used more frequently in the US, though it is technically correct because the seal is radially energised (typically with a spring), as it is smaller than the shaft passing through it. However, because this type of seal is most commonly used where a rotating shaft passes through it, the more common European name – rotary shaft seal – is preferred. Similar, yet subtly different, rotary seals are also used in linear applications, such as motorcycle fork stanchion sliders. These require a different lip design altogether and hence confusion can arise with the whole rotary terminology. Application errors can occur because of these misunderstandings. Here at Martin’s Rubber, we can guide your selection process to ensure you are matched to the most appropriate lip seal for your application.

Martin’s Rubber lip seals

Among our extensive range of rubber products here at Martin’s Rubber, we manufacture a wide variety of seals, including lip seals. As well as our extensive array of rotary seals, we can also supply standard or bespoke wiper scraper seals, single or double acting piston seals, rod seals and static seals to name but a few. We recommend speaking to one of our advisers about your application requirements. Our knowledgeable team can give you the best possible recommendation to help you to specify a suitable lip seal. Contact Martin’s Rubber Company today on 023 8022 6330, or email [email protected], for more information about all our rotary lip seals, manufacturing services and products.

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