Oil seals are used for essential applications in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors. They are created to avoid leaks from the sealing lip and rotary shaft by forming a thin layer of oil between them. Oil seals could be developed using well-known sealing materials, involving NBR, EPDM, PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE), Silicone,and fluoroelastomer.
Oil seals are commonly made from materials such as rubber, silicone, or polyurethane, with each material offering different properties and advantages. Rubber seals are flexible and cost-effective, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Silicone seals offer high temperature resistance and chemical compatibility, while polyurethane seals are durable and abrasion-resistant.

There is a British Standard laid down for the control of synthetic rubbers. BS 3574 (1989) helps to determine shelf life – for instance, Nitrile (NBR) and Polyacrylic (ACM) are Group ‘B’ rubbers and have a 7-year life, whilst Silicone (VMQ) and Fluoroelastomers (Viton®) are Group ‘C’ rubbers and have a 10-year shelf life. PTFE and Leather do not come into this category but like the others should be kept in the original packing for as long as possible away from direct light, dust, and humidity. Ozone, which can also be produced by battery-driven forklift trucks has a very bad effect on synthetic rubbers. Finally, protect the sealing lip – DO NOT hang the seals on nails, wire etc.
Also known as a Rotary Shaft Seal, Shaft Seal, Lip Seal, Elastomeric Lip Seal or any variation of these. It is a simple device for excluding dust, dirt, water or any other contaminant whilst retaining lubricant in rotary shaft equipment. Generally, it has been developed as a means of protecting the bearings of rotating shafts.
3. Seal types and numbering system

APPLICATIONS OF OIL SEALS
One option is to buy oil seals from specialised gasket and sealing material companies like Polymer Trade Manufacturing Ltd, which is known for its expertise in dealing with gaskets and o rings. These companies not only offer an extensive range of oil seals but also provide expert advice to help customers select the right sealing materials for their specific requirements.
