Once you have selected the most suitable seal available, considering the environment, temperature, shaft speed, pressure, lubrication availability, as well as the size, of course, the seal should be stored adequately and then fitted properly. Here are a few suggestions that could help:-

Metal inserts must be carefully prepared in operations involving cleaning and roughening surfaces (grit-blasting or phosphatizing), stamping out parts, application of primer (usually by dipping), and curing of the primer (often by baking for a short time at moderate temperature).³ Primer curing minimizes the possibility of wiping primer off portions of the insert by stock flow during molding. The treated metal inserts must be used within a relatively short time (usually a day or less), so that functionality necessary for bonding is not lost by reaction with moisture in the air. Freshness of the primer surface is particularly important for peroxide-cured and base-resistant fluoroelastomer compounds. Compound formulation should be adjusted to attain good adhesion.

Shaft surface speed

Manufacturing and Quality Control

VMQ (silicone)

Modern engine oils, such as the current SG classification for gasoline engines, contain a large fraction of additives, many of which are detrimental to fluoroelastomers. The primary functions of oil-additive packages are to protect metal parts, avoid deposits in the engine, minimize oil degradation, and adjust fluid viscosity. Little attention has been paid to avoiding damage to rubber seals. Instead, elastomer producers have been expected to provide new, higher-performing products at no increased cost to auto manufacturers. Among the additives with moieties that may attack fluoroelastomers at high temperature are detergents (phenolates), dispersants (succinimides, alkylphenol amines), and antioxidants (amines, sulfides, hindered phenols).⁴ Many of these components are multifunctional, containing phenol or amine groups that can dehydrofluorinate and crosslink VDF-containing fluoroelastomers, leading to loss of elongation and eventual embrittlement. However, the rate and extent of reactions with seals are affected by many factors, including whether air is present in the system. When oil is exposed to air at high temperature, additives may undergo considerable changes. For example, a significant fraction of amines may be oxidized to amides, which have little effect on fluoroelastomers.⁵