Seals

Seals are used to prevent leakage of liquids, solids and gases from items of rotating machinery and
other types of industrial equipment and to stop dirt and other sources of external contamination.

The demands of aerospace industry have had a strong influence on the advancement of seal
technology.

Classes of seal

1. Static seal – those used for sealing surfaces between which there is no relative motion
between mating surfaces.
- Static seals are often referred to as joints
2. Dynamic seals- those used for sealing surfaces between which there is relative motion .
- Dynamic seal are often referred to as packings/ packings

Classification of seals

a. Gasket
- A gasket is a static seal used to contain liquids, solids and gases in all types of
machinery, containers and piping systems.
- Gaskets are normally used between rigid and usually metallic sealing surfaces.

Sealing principle
 - Gaskets require externally applied compressive force to maintain sealing contact
- This force is provided by a set of flange bolts or clamps.
The compressive force must be able to:
1. Accommodate surface variations in the flange face
2. Overcome the hydrostatic end force caused by internal pressure trying to push
outward.

A thinner gasket material is more suitable for containing higher internal pressure when used
between suitably machined flanges because the area exposed to internal pressure is reduced.

Gasket material

A gasket material need to have the characteristics of :

 Softness
 Deformability
 Elasticity
 Flexibility
1. Paper

Paper is a low cost material whose properties are improved when impregnated with wax.

Paper gasket is used mostly in automotive industry for sealing water, oil and petrol.

2. Cork

Used in low load situation where flange faces are uneven.

3. Rubber

This is one of the most versatile gasket material especially when reinforced.

Example of rubber materials used are neoprene and silicon rubber.

4. Plastic or polythene

Plastic gaskets have been developed over the years.

A common example is Teflon.

5. Metals

When operating in conditions which are too severe for common materials, various types of
solid metal and semi-metallic gasket can be used. Examples of such metallic materials are:

- Copper
- Brass
- Nickel
- Alloy steels

b. O- rings
Rubber o-rings can either be static or dynamic seal.
It is normally contained within a groove which is machined into one of the flange surfaces.
Sealing principle
- Elasticity of the rubber material allows a good seal to be achieved.
 - O- ring will cease to be effective when the material loses it elasticity.

- Care should be taken to ensure that the ring sits correctly in the groove and not pinched
between flanges
- Flange faces should be square and pulled evenly to avoid leaving gaps
- Ensure the correct size of seal ring is used in relation to the size of the groove.
- Make sure that the grooves and recesses are clean and free of dirt, sharp edges and
burrs
- Avoid using o-rings in hot conditions.

c. Sealants
Sealants or liquid gasket is formulated to contain liquids and gases under pressure and can
be used as an alternative to gaskets and o-rings
They are not expensive

Sealing principle
A sealant performs differently from a gasket and allows metal to metal contact of the two
opposing surfaces
A sealant material have high viscosity with adhesive properties that fill the void caused by
the surface roughness of the faces.
 Once the joint is tight it should remain so and does not require re-adjustment

Maintenance practice.
1. Ensure that surfaces are not dirty or greasy
2. Ensure that application of sealant is even
3. Check the curing time of sealant and make sure that no load is applied to the joint until
the sealant has set.
4. Do not use expired sealant

d. Mechanical seals
- Mechanical seals are the most widely used types of dynamic seals
- It is designed to prevent leakage of fluids between rotating shaft and a the housing.

Principles of operation

- The primary sealing function of a mechanical seal is achieved by 2 sealing rings with
contacting faces, one of which rotates with the shaft and the other which is fixed in the
housing.
- The contacting faces are held together by an axial force created by a mechanical device
such as spring.
The essential components of a seal are
A. Stationary seal ring- usually made of carbon and fitted into a machined recess of seal
plate.
B. Stationary seal ring seal- usually an o- ring which prevents leakage of fluid between
stationary seal ring and seal plate.
C. Rotating seal – this is locked to the rotating shaft and is forced against a stationary seal
ring by a spring. Common material for this is tungsten carbide.
D. Rotating seal ring – this can be an o-ring to prevent leakage between the rotating ring
and the shaft.
E. Spring - provided as a means of loading the seal faces.
F. Thrust collar- attached to the shaft by a grub screw and provides a means of driving the
spring and a stop against which the thrust is carried.
G. Seal plate- holds the mechanical seal in place.

Materials

Seal surface are available in various combination

1. Stainless steel/ carbon
2. Lead bronze/ carbon
3. Stellite/ carbon
4. Tungsten carbide/ tungsten carbides
5. Tungsten carbide / carbon
6. Ceramic, carbon
Maintenance practices

- Mechanical seals are manufactured to fine tolerances and high surface finish.
Cleanliness is of importance.
- Seal surfaces should be square, lubricated and correctly loaded.
- Ensure they do not run dry. (not even few seconds_

e. Packing
Packing usage is the oldest approach to solving sealing problems.
Rings of soft packing material are fitted into a stuffing box around the shaft and compressed
by a gland ring which forces the packings into contact with shaft and stuffing box bore.
This sealing method is used as static seal and dynamic seal (rotating mechanisms)

Sealing principles

- Rings of soft woven material are cut to length and assembled around the shaft inside the
stuffing box.

- A gland ring or follower is pulled up against the stuffing box casing to compress the
rings and cause them to expand radially. This radial action brings the packing into
contact with both shaft and stuffing box bore to create the seal

- Materials used for packing possesses self -lubricating properties which protects the
shaft from wear.

- It is important that the packing is not allowed to run dry

- A secondary fluid is directed to the gland area via lantern ring.

Material

A wide variety of materials is available.

1. Lubricated fiber yarn (twisted, braided or plaited) in square or round sections.

Yarn materials can be
(i) Hemp
(ii) Flax
(iii) Asbestos
(iv) Cotton
(v) Nylon

Lubricants usually added to the yarn materials include:

(i) Graphite
(ii) Molybdenum disulphide
(iii) Oil and grease

Maintenance practice

- Make sure that the stuffing box is clean and free from old packings.
- Check the shaft for wear, run out or deflection.
- Ensure correct size and type of packing according to application.
- Install the rings one at a time. And ensure they are properly seated.
- Install the glad follower and pull up.
- Start up machine to check for leaks
- Check the glands periodically to check for leaks and adjust the leakage rate.

Other types of seal in use today are

1. Lip seal- used to retain oil and lubricants operating with rotating shaft with low
pressure
2. Felt seals- used as oil and dust seals in situations which are not severe