Know the parts of the mechanical seal
In pumps or mechanical devices, the biggest challenge is to keep the large volumes of pressurized fuel inside when the rotating shaft enters the wet area. The best and most effective part that makes it possible is a mechanical seal. It is the reason, it is important.
Since the seal minimizes the leakage, it saves the environment. Also, it keeps the workplace clean and dry. There are no slippery or wet floors and no bearing failure. There is no wear and tear on shaft sleeves.
Due to a mechanical seal, the mechanical department is not required to replace the packing or adjust the alignment frequently.
Also, mechanical seals save a lot of money because mechanical devices work efficiently and without downtime.
All the mechanical seal parts have a smooth flawless performance and a long service life. Here you know about the different parts of mechanical seal.
Every mechanical seal possesses five basic elements: One ring (usually the seal face) circulating synchronously with the rotating part (shaft) and a Secondary seal (usually O-ring) between the shaft and ring. A stationary ring (usually the stationary seat) is arranged in the stationary part (casing).
A cartridge-mounted, end-face mechanical seal is a completely self-contained unit that houses the sealing components—a gland, sleeve, and hardware.
The Three Types of Mechanical Seals
- Cartridge
- Component
- Air
Understand the components of mechanical seals
In industrial applications, there are various types of seals. But more or less, their primary components are similar. Let’s understand them further.
Mechanical seals utilize 3 component parts – seal faces, secondary seals and The hardware that connects mechanical Seals into a single rotary piece.
Typically, a mechanical seal contains:
- Secondary static seals, V-rings, O-rings or wedges
- Static seal or stationary component
- Seal for the rotating component to the shaft.
- A spring member; metal bellows, multiple spring or single spring
- Other hardware such as gland rings, compression rings, collars, shaft sleeves, etc.
The basic components in a mechanical end face ring are the seal rings, mating rings and secondary sealing elements. The seal ring and mating ring are the primary sealing surfaces.
The mechanical seal faces in engineered mechanical seals are made to order. They are built as per design specs.
The most important part is the primary sealing surface. It can be called the heart of the seal. Rubber diaphragm, PTFE wedges, and O-rings can be called secondary sealing elements.
The sealing surfaces have a combination of both hard and soft materials. Ceramic, tungsten, and silicon carbide are hard materials. The soft material is chosen depending on the pressure, chemical properties, and temperature of the liquid.
The two rings are important in their operation. One of them is stationary and the other one rotates with the shaft. The lapping process decides the desired degree of flatness of these two rings. Normally, dissimilar are used for the two faces, one of them is hard and the other is soft. Thus, there is no adhesion between them. Preferred materials are Carbon-Graphite and Ceramic. In a few applications, where the material handled is abrasive, both surfaces are hard.
Though a mechanical seal looks like a simple object, it has various smaller components. Examples are Secondary static seals, O-ring, V-ring, and wedges. There are static or stationary components. There are rotating components. Single springs, multiple springs, metal bellows, and spring members are other components. Gland rings, collars, shaft sleeves, and compression rings are other hardware elements. The structure of the mechanical seal is almost similar, except for a few application-specific variations.
Beston Seals is ISO certified company specializing in providing solutions to all types of leakages by manufacturing mechanical seals and sealing components as per customers’ drawings, samples, or requirements. We are one of the best rotary union and mechanical seal manufacturers in India based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. To know more about mechanical seals call on +91-9820007401 or email info@bestonseals.com.