Regular maintenance and inspection of shaft oil seals are essential to ensure their proper functioning and prevent costly downtime and repairs. Signs of a worn or damaged seal include oil leaks, increased noise or vibration, and decreased efficiency. If any of these symptoms are detected, it is important to replace the seal promptly to avoid further damage to the machinery.

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Leather is probably the oldest of the lip materials still in common use, but the move towards mass production methods has seen a massive increase in the development of synthetic rubbers which lend themselves to accurate and repeatable injection and compression moulding. Nitrile (NBR) is still by far the most common elastomer for “normal” use, whilst Viton® (FKM/FPM) is rapidly replacing Polyacrylate (ACM) and Silicone (VMQ) for high-temperature applications. Viton® also has high resistance to abrasion and chemical attack making it a preferred elastomer. Recent developments in the use of PTFE for Rotary shaft seals has caused widespread interest particularly for high-speed shaft rotation or poor lubrication applications.

• Fluorine rubber

Regardless of how many (or how few) miles you have on your vehicle, regularly scheduled oil changes are critical for keeping your car running newer, longer. When you head in for your next oil change at a nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care, ask your technician about a high mileage oil change, especially if you’ve observed oil stains in your driveway or heard engine rattling. A high mileage oil change could help your car hit its next big milestone!

Polyacrylate 
Better heat, oil and chemical resistance than NBR 
It is recommended for use in oil which contains load bearing additives such as EP gear oils

How are Oil Seals made?

With minor lip

Type code
Table 3: Features of each seal type