Differences between Mechanical Seals and Rubber Seal

Seal are critical components of an application. They located in between two or more joining parts. There mechanical and rubber seals are the most outstanding types of seals you can find in the market, such as AES mechanical seals and O-rings West. These seals come in various sizes to fit numerous applications. Based on the specific usages, the seals have different minor features.

Owing to the nature of the function of seals, including mechanical seal and rubber seal, there are still some similar characteristics between them. However, the quality of the property to be significantly used depends on the type of application. The basic features include:

•Elongation

•Compressibility

•Tensile strength

•Modulus of elasticity

•Resistance

•Fatigue

The seal must have enough mechanical characteristics to provide an effective barrier. Take the AES mechanical seals as an example, the temperature, rate of change of temperature as well as the joint configuration greatly influence its mechanical function.

First, let's talk about the mechanical seals. Like any other seal, it is located between two adjacent points of a system that is either stationary or rotating. The primary role is to prevent the problem arising from compression packing. Three essential parts make up a mechanical seal, i.e.

•Primary seal faces, i.e., seal ring and insert. One is rotary, and the other one is stationary

•Secondary seals: They include the shaft packing and insert mountings.

•Mechanical seal hardware – gland rings, collars, compression rings, pins, springs, as well as bellows.

There are many companies manufacture these types of seals including AES Seal Company. According to reliable statistic, the AES mechanical seals come with numerous outstanding features such as;

•A multi-spring design for accurate and uniform seal face loading

•Springs are located outside the product media to eliminate clogging

•Strong setting clips ensuring a correct working length, and can be used for removal and fitting

•The seal face is balanced hydraulically to provide an optimum fluid film during fluctuation processes

The types of these seals are single seals, double seals, bellows seals, split seals, mixer seals, and the standard plus seals. The seals are highly functional thanks to the sturdy material that build them. Such materials include 316L stainless steel, Tungsten Carbide, Silicon Carbide, Carbon, Ceramic, Viton, EPR, Kalrez, and Aflas among others.

How AES Mechanical Seals Work?

There are two flat wrap up faces, creating a leakage-free path. This path is the right angle to the main axis. The two faces that are in contact drastically reduce leakages. One face is held in a stationary housing while the rotating shaft holds the one, i.e., the second (rotating) face. One face is made of non-galling material, e.g., graphite or carbon while harder material, e.g., silicon carbide makes the adjoining side. Dissimilar materials are used within the stationary parts as well as the face of a rotating seal. This prevents the 2 surfaces from sticking to each other. The softer face has a smaller pairing surface and is called wear nose. One end of the mechanical face has four main sealing points, including:

•Primary seal - located at the seal face;

•Leakage path - blocked by either 0-ring V-ring or the wedge;

•Two leakage paths which are blocked by either gaskets or 0-rings.

A layer of gas or liquid between the mechanical faces can act as a lubricant, a significant feature of any mechanical seal. How faces are lubricated significantly influence the desired leakage, energy consumption and the seal life. Note that there are quite a number of modes of seal face lubrication. To get the best AES mechanical seals models, it is essential that you understand the operating conditions and product to be sealed.

Then what is a rubber seal? This type of seals is mainly referred to as rubber oil seals, oil seals or oil gaskets. The rubber seal is a seal that prevents leakage of lubricating oil leakage in mechanical equipment. It does so by closing the spaces between moving stationary components of the equipment.

The rubber seals also find application in bearings, where they maintain lubricants within the bearing as well as prevent corrosion but preventing the entry of moisture.

Rubber seals are very versatile types of seals that have a broad application in industries such as oil, gas, manufacturing, and hydraulics among others. The primary use is to provide an airtight seal. Such airtight seals are essential in preventing entry of moisture, air and dust or dirt. They, in turn, prevent water damage, corrosion as well as leakages of fluid. They are also useful in preventing heat loss. Besides, the rubbers seals are also crucial in absorbing shock and reducing vibrations. These properties make them extremely useful in for moving components.

A rubber sealing comes in the form of washers/seal rings and rubber edging. They are in various sizes to fit different types of equipment capacity. They fit valves, pipes and other types of openings where leakages of lubricating oils might occur. In summary, the function of rubber seals is to hold the lubricating oils and help in lubricating the moving parts of the machines, through ensuring that there are no leakages. The available types of rubber seals are:

•U-ring seals

•V-ring seals

•O-ring seals

•Rotary oil seals

•ring seals

•Spring installed seals

•Clearance seals

•Bearing isolators

Are Rubber And Mechanical Seals Similar?

Of course, they greatly vary starting with the material. While the rubber seals are made from rubber, the mechanical seals are crafted from more robust materials such as 316L stainless steel, Tungsten Carbide, and Silicon. This makes them sturdier than their rubber counterparts. At what temperature will rubber give away? As compared to rubber, mechanical seals can withstand higher temperature. This means they are built to tolerate a higher range of temperature fluctuation as compared to the rubber seals.  

In summary, the mechanical seals are superior to the rubber. Let's look at some advantages of AES mechanical seals that we provide.

•Limited or no oil leakage of fluids from the location they are to the surrounding, i.e., they are built to meet the emission regulation;

•Highly reduced friction between the moving parts. This signifies there is no power consumption;

•The shaft/sleeve on with the mechanical seal is mounted does not wear;

•They have great potential to seal higher pressures;

•The seals are found in a large number of designs. These make them suitable for numerous applications;

•The component of the mechanical seals is made from a robust material. Therefore, they require little maintenance;

•Can work in a more corrosive environment.