The seal shown in Fig. 14.2 is a relatively simple design; most automotive seals are more complex. Dust lips are often used to keep outside contaminants away from the oil lip seals; such seals thus have undercuts that make demolding more difficult. Fluoroelastomer compounds used for such undercut shapes must have reasonably high elongation at break at molding temperatures to avoid tearing the part during demolding. The metal insert is often U-shaped, and stock may be molded to form a thin layer over the outside of the insert. Since both compression and injection molding methods are used, suppliers of fluoroelastomers for shaft-seal applications often must provide different versions of the same polymer composition-medium to high viscosity for compression molding, and low to medium viscosity for injection molding. Different precompounds may be necessary to accommodate relatively long compression-molding times at low temperature and very short injection-molding times at high temperature.

However, it’s plagued with a few drawbacks, such as poor resistance to ozone, sunlight, and weather. It also has limited resistance to high temperatures and flames.

Oil seal installation

In this kind of seal, wider tolerances are possible between the OD of the seal and the seal housing. Irregularities of the housing surface can be taken up by the resilient rubber layer on the outside of the seal. However, the rubber covered seal can be blown out under high pressure in a reciprocating application whereas, with a metal case, there is no such danger.