Nov. 11, 2024
The following recommendations indicate the most suitable conditions for storing elastomeric items, whether as a single item or composite product.
Storage temperatures should not exceed 50°C. Low temperatures are not permanently harmful provided the rubber items are handled carefully and not distorted. When taken from low temperatures items should be raised to approximately 30°C before they are used.
Optimum humidity is about 65% in a draft-free atmosphere.
Protection from direct sunlight and strong artificial light with a high ultraviolet content is important. Unless packed in opaque containers, it is advisable to cover windows with red or orange screens or coatings.
Elastomeric items should be protected from circulating air wherever possible. As ozone is particularly harmful to rubber, storage rooms should be free from equipment that may give rise to electric sparks or discharge. Wrapping, storage in airtight containers or other suitable means should be used for vulcanised rubber items.
Where possible, rubber items should be stored in a relaxed position, free from tension or compression. Laying the item flat and avoiding suspension or crushing keeps it free from strain and minimises deformation.
Contact with liquids and semi-solid materials, particularly solvents, such as oils or greases should be avoided unless so packed by the manufacturer.
Metals such as manganese, iron and copper, or copper alloys can have a harmful effect on rubber. A layer of paper, polyethylene or cellophane will keep these separated.
Contact with other rubbers or creosotes should be avoided.
Elastomers should be stored for as short a period as possible, and strict stock rotation should be practised.
Organic solvents such as trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and petroleum are the most harmful agents. Soap and water and methylated spirits are the least harmful, and all parts should be dried at room temperature before use.
The table shows the storage life of seal components made from the more common materials under ideal conditions. Storing under less than ideal conditions will reduce the life.
Base polymerCareful inspection of the following should be made before installation after storage:
a. Mechanical damage
b. Permanent distortion
c. Cracks or surface crazing
d. Tackiness or surface softening/hardening
Thin components (less than 1.6mm {1/16in}) tend to be more critically affected.
The appearance of ‘bloom’ is relatively unimportant, except in certain non-toxic applications.
Rubber seals are widely used in various types of equipment and machinery. They undertake important functions such as sealing, isolation, and shock absorption. In order to ensure the long-term effectiveness and reliability of rubber seals, proper maintenance and management are essential. This article will explore the maintenance methods, common problems and their solutions, and effective management strategies for rubber seals.
1. Maintenance methods of rubber seals
Regular inspection
Perform visual and physical inspections of rubber seals regularly to find any cracks, aging, wear, or other signs that may cause leakage. Especially for equipment working in high temperature or high pressure environments, the frequency of inspection should be increased.
Clean the seals and their mating surfaces
During maintenance, the rubber seals and their mating surfaces should be cleaned to remove dust, oil stains, and other contaminants. Use appropriate detergents (such as neutral detergents) to clean, and avoid using strong acids, strong alkalis, or organic solvents to avoid damaging the seal material.
Avoid excessive extrusion
During the assembly process, ensure that the seal is not over-extruded during installation. Excessive compression will cause the seal to age or deform, affecting the sealing effect.
Proper lubrication
Some types of rubber seals may require appropriate lubrication during installation to reduce wear and installation difficulties. Use special lubricants and avoid lubricants that will corrode the sealing ring material.
Prevent the influence of high and low temperatures
Rubber sealing rings are sensitive to temperature and should be avoided from being exposed to extreme temperatures for a long time. It is recommended to consider the operating temperature range during design and use, and take corresponding protective measures, such as the application of thermal insulation materials.
2. Common problems and solutions
Aging and embrittlement
Rubber sealing rings will age and embrittle over time, resulting in reduced sealing performance. Regularly check the service life of the sealing ring and replace it in time after a certain period of time.
Leakage
If the sealing ring is found to be leaking, the machine should be stopped immediately to check the cause. Possible reasons include improper installation, physical damage, material mismatch, etc. Replace or reassemble according to the specific situation.
Deformation and extrusion
Under high pressure or high flow operating conditions, the sealing ring may deform or extrude, resulting in sealing failure. To prevent such problems, the appropriate size and material should be selected, and the sealing structure should be reasonably designed.
Abnormal temperature
If the sealing ring has abnormal temperature (too high or too low) during use, the application conditions need to be re-evaluated to ensure that the operation is within the designed temperature range.
3. Effective management strategy
Establish maintenance plan
Develop a detailed maintenance plan for each equipment, including a schedule for regular inspection, cleaning and replacement to ensure that all seals receive timely attention.
Record and track
Keep detailed records of each maintenance and replacement, track the use of rubber seals, help identify common problems, and facilitate future maintenance and management.
Training and awareness
Train relevant staff to enhance awareness of the importance of rubber seals, improve maintenance skills and safety awareness.
Reserve spare parts
Based on usage and historical replacement records, reasonably reserve commonly used rubber seals to cope with emergencies and reduce downtime.
Work with suppliers
Establish a good relationship with rubber seal suppliers, communicate regularly, and obtain information about new materials, technologies and best practices in a timely manner to ensure the use of the latest rubber seal products.
4. Summary
Maintenance and management of rubber seals is an important part of ensuring efficient and safe operation of equipment. Through regular inspections, reasonable use of cleaning and maintenance techniques, attention to common problems and their solutions, and effective management strategies, the service life and reliability of seals can be significantly improved. Applying these practical methods to actual work will provide guarantees for the stable operation of equipment, thereby improving overall production efficiency.
[DLSEALS kindly Reminder] Sealing issues? Turn to DLSEALS! As a sealing component manufacturer, we specialize in customizing sealing components, providing a full range of services from design, research and development, production, testing, and more. If you have more information you'd like to know, feel free to contact us directly. DLSEALS's product experts are dedicated to serving you!
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR, nitrile)
NBR, also known as nitrile rubber or nitrile, is the most popular material for an oil seal because of its good resistance to many oils and greases, such as mineral grease and hydraulic oil. Depending on their composition, synthetic oils and greases, such as those based on glycol, can damage NBR rubber materials. Depending on the amount of glycol, a PTFE lip seal may be the best choice. NBR is also unable to cope with contact with acids and solvents. The rubber is suitable for oil and grease at temperatures from -35 °C to 100 °C.
Most ERIKS oil seals, such as the types M, MST, R and RST, are made of NBR as standard.
Fluorine rubber (FKM, Viton™)
FKM or FPM, which is in well-known brand Viton™, can withstand higher liquid temperatures of up to 180 ˚C. FKM is highly resistant to strong acids and bases, as well as to synthetic oils and greases. Glycol-based oil and grease, however, can also damage FKM.
Because of the higher temperature resistance of FKM, this material is also chosen for applications where higher speeds play a role, which raise the temperature at the sealing lip considerably. Usually, using FKM will result in a longer life than using NBR. This compensates the higher price of FKM compared to NBR, as an FKM does not have to be replaced as frequently. The low temperature resistance of standard FKM is limited to -15 ˚C.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon®)
PTFE, which is used in the well-known brand Teflon®, is less commonly used, but it is the preferred material for specific rotating seals in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries. This material is notable for having a very low frictional resistance and the best chemical resistance. It can also withstand a very wide range of temperatures in these types of seals; -80 ˚C to 200 ˚C. The shafts on which oil seals with PTFE lips are used require a harder and finer finish. Something like an axle sleeve can also be used to meet this requirement.
EPDM
EPDM oil seals are less common. They are used in solvent, hot water and steam applications, EPDM resists low temperatures down to -50 °C and UV radiation well. Some types of EPDM are also suitable for higher temperatures up to +150 °C. EPDM oil seals are usually available upon request.
VMQ (silicone)
VMQ, also known as silicone, is also used for oil seals, but this is less common because the mechanical strength of VMQ is low and this material has poor wear-resistance This makes it less suitable for dynamic applications, but it can withstand fairly low and high temperatures from -60 °C to 200 °C. Many types of VMQ are also suitable for contact with pharmaceutical and food products, so VMQ is an option worth considering. VMQ oil seals are usually available on request.
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