Oil seals may be a small and unobtrusive component, but their role should not be understated. Also known as rotary shaft seals, oil seals are designed to close even the most marginal spaces between stationary and moving components in mechanical equipment to prevent lubricants from seeping out.
In this article, we’ll explain four key benefits of using oil seals in your equipment and why it is imperative that worn seals are promptly replaced.
1. Preventing Leakage, Protecting Machinery
A key function of oil seals is to prevent the leakage of lubricants which are essential for the smooth operation of machinery by reducing friction and wear between moving parts. When oil seals are properly installed, they ensure that the lubricant remains inside the machinery and prevents leakage onto the floor or into the environment. As well as conserving lubricant supplies, this ensures that the machinery operates at optimum efficiency and that sensitive moving components aren’t severely damaged by excessive friction. Preventing leakage also offers important environmental benefits, reducing the risk of contamination through spillage.
2. Preventing Contamination
Oil seals are crucial in protecting components within machinery from external contaminants, such as dust, dirt, and moisture, which can cause corrosion, wear, and ultimately, premature failure. By effectively sealing the internal components from the external environment, oil seals extend the lifespan of these vital parts and reduce downtime and maintenance costs in the long-term. Protection is especially important in harsh or dirty working environments where the risk of contamination is high.
3. Enhancing Efficiency
The use of properly installed oil seals significantly improves the efficiency of machinery. By reducing friction and wear within the system, they ensure machinery can operate more smoothly and with less energy consumption. Reduced friction also means less heat generation, which is beneficial for maintaining the optimum temperature of the equipment. As well as achieving much-needed cost savings in terms of reduced energy use, oil seals enhance overall productivity as there are fewer periods of downtime or maintenance.
4. Prolonging Machinery Life
Finally, by minimising wear and tear, oil seals contribute significantly to extending the lifespan of essential machine components, such as bearings and shafts. Consequently, reduced downtime is likely as there are fewer breakdowns and maintenance requirements, translating into cost savings and more consistent production output.
Download Our Free Guide
Replacing degraded oil seals is the best way to seal a leaking oil tank so, to find out more about our oil seals and the benefits for your industrial applications, please download our free guide or call us on 01233 542995 to speak to an expert.
