What Should Be Taken into Account When Choosing Mechanical Seals?
Projects that involve heavy machinery and equipment usually involve mechanical seals in the process. It is important that you spend some time in judging which seals to use as these are imperative in ensuring that your machineries work properly. Before you are to choose which seals, gland packing or gasket type to use, there are several factors that you need consider. Two of the more important consideration includes choosing the seal type and the materials are going to be made with.
Types of Mechanical Seals
These are popular tools since they can be used in a variety of situations where leaks cannot be afforded to happen. There are several types you can choose. Choosing depends entirely on the nature of the project you are working on. In simple projects and installations, the type of it usually utilized is the balanced seal. This type is very easy to install and requires very little maintenance when used. Hydraulically balanced seals can also be used in various situations since they work fine even in machines that employ stronger pressure and vacuum. For machines that have disconnecting and misaligned parts, stationary type are usually utilized for them to properly function. Stationary seals can also be used whenever your stuffing box is not squarely aligned to the rotating shafts that it connects. Metal bellows type are available if you are undertaking a project that works in special environments. These seals are perfect if your environment is either extremely hot or cold. Seals with metal bellows ensure optimum performance for your machines despite the unfriendly setting. When dealing with solvents and chemicals, metallic seals may not be suitable for you to use. Some solvents may not react too positively when they come in contact with metals. There are other seal types made from lighter materials like Teflon and plastic which can act as substitutes to metallic seals.
Materials of your mechanical seals (one of the important things to contemplate over)
The materials from which your seals would be made are also important in the overall process of choosing mechanical seals. Since most seals are made from metal, it is advantageous to learn a few of the basics when it comes to these seal types.
Another thing to remember is to make sure that whatever passes through your installations are not corrosive. If your seal can't handle corrosive substances, it can result in leaks, which can potentially prove hazardous to your personnel. The seal components that usually come in contact with the internal solvents would be the pump volute, impeller, stuffing box and the sleeve. Another thing you need to check is the seal's carbon face. A seal's lifespan usually ends when its seal face is all worn out. Remember that the resiliency of a its carbon face vary depending on their grades. Seals with silicon carbide are the most commonly used among them. Reaction bonded silicon carbide is also another popular choice. Elastomers and O-rings are other things you need to take note when choosing it. You should also take note that different mechanical seals have temperature and pressure limitations when used.
Projects that involve heavy machinery and equipment usually involve mechanical seals in the process. It is important that you spend some time in judging which seals to use as these are imperative in ensuring that your machineries work properly. Before you are to choose which seals, gland packing or gasket type to use, there are several factors that you need consider. Two of the more important consideration includes choosing the seal type and the materials are going to be made with.
Types of Mechanical Seals
These are popular tools since they can be used in a variety of situations where leaks cannot be afforded to happen. There are several types you can choose. Choosing depends entirely on the nature of the project you are working on. In simple projects and installations, the type of it usually utilized is the balanced seal. This type is very easy to install and requires very little maintenance when used. Hydraulically balanced seals can also be used in various situations since they work fine even in machines that employ stronger pressure and vacuum. For machines that have disconnecting and misaligned parts, stationary type are usually utilized for them to properly function. Stationary seals can also be used whenever your stuffing box is not squarely aligned to the rotating shafts that it connects. Metal bellows type are available if you are undertaking a project that works in special environments. These seals are perfect if your environment is either extremely hot or cold. Seals with metal bellows ensure optimum performance for your machines despite the unfriendly setting. When dealing with solvents and chemicals, metallic seals may not be suitable for you to use. Some solvents may not react too positively when they come in contact with metals. There are other seal types made from lighter materials like Teflon and plastic which can act as substitutes to metallic seals.
Materials of your mechanical seals (one of the important things to contemplate over)
The materials from which your seals would be made are also important in the overall process of choosing mechanical seals. Since most seals are made from metal, it is advantageous to learn a few of the basics when it comes to these seal types.
Another thing to remember is to make sure that whatever passes through your installations are not corrosive. If your seal can't handle corrosive substances, it can result in leaks, which can potentially prove hazardous to your personnel. The seal components that usually come in contact with the internal solvents would be the pump volute, impeller, stuffing box and the sleeve. Another thing you need to check is the seal's carbon face. A seal's lifespan usually ends when its seal face is all worn out. Remember that the resiliency of a its carbon face vary depending on their grades. Seals with silicon carbide are the most commonly used among them. Reaction bonded silicon carbide is also another popular choice. Elastomers and O-rings are other things you need to take note when choosing it. You should also take note that different mechanical seals have temperature and pressure limitations when used.