PTFE Rotary

Lip Seal Guide

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Rotary Seals Content

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................4

History................................................................................................................................................................................7

How They Work...............................................................................................................................................................8

Why PTFE....................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Fillers Employed with PTFE Resins........................................................................................................................ 12

PTFE Radial Lip Seal Design..................................................................................................................................... 19

Design Principles Employed in PTFE Radial Lip Seal Design......................................................................... 23

Shaft Considerations.................................................................................................................................................. 26

Housing and Bore Considerations.......................................................................................................................... 32

Pressure and Shaft Velocity..................................................................................................................................... 33

Shaft Misalignment and Runout............................................................................................................................. 34

Application Areas for PTFE Radial Lip Seals........................................................................................................ 37

Appendix Lip Seal Flow Chart............................................................................................................................... 41

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What is a PTFE Rotary Lip Seal

and How Does it Work?
A PTFE Rotary Lip Seal is a seal that features a lip on the ID that seals dynamically on a shaft and metal Features / Benefits
casing on its OD to press-fit into a bore. A gasket is sandwiched between layers of sealing lips and the
can to seal off the potential leak path. Since the lip is not spring-energized, the radial lip contact forces Low friction Long seal life with proper High pressure in excess of 500 psi (35 bar)
are lower than a rotary spring energized PTFE seal, which allows the seal to function at much higher configuration Extended seal life in dry or abrasive media
surface speeds (up to 10,000 sfpm). Strong chemical resistance Unlimited shelf Life
The seals are manufactured from a wide variety of PTFE composites and other machinable plastic Surface speeds up to 10,000 feet per minute Large diameter capability
materials. Standard gasket choices are fluorocarbon, nitrile, EPDM, and Armstrong reinforced paper. Wide temperature range: -65F to 450F Custom profile design
(-53C to 232C)
Design Engineer can choose between stainless steel, cold rolled steel, zinc-plated cold rolled steel and
aluminum. This broad foundation of standard gasket, metal and PTFE materials can be tailored to suit
nearly all applications. Standard and Non-standard seal profiles are precision machined to fit inch and
metric gland geometries. PTFE rotary lip seals are used in demanding applications where the operating Applications
conditions exceed the capabilities of elastomeric seals.
Motors Bearings E
 xtruders Spindles
Gearboxes Compressors V
 alves Robotics
Pumps Cryogenics B
 lowers Mixers

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PTFE History
The discovery of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) resin dates back to 1938, but it was not until
the 1950s that PTFE gained considerable attention as a possible material for rotary lip seals.
Unfortunately, during the 1950s and 1960s PTFE seals proved to be inconsistent and unreliable
performers in many applications. In more recent decades, however, there has been significant
progress made in the areas of PTFE lip seal design and material processing.

The following is aimed at providing the application engineer with a better understanding of PTFE
as a material, some insight into the seal design and manufacturing practices, and a background on
applications where PTFE has proved to be an excellent radial lip seal compound.

The successful application of PTFE radial lip seals is dependent upon a thorough understanding of the
basic properties and functional characteristics of PTFE resins, and in turn applying these criteria to the
areas of product design and manufacturing methods.

The PTFE lip seal provides to the end user; a sealing device that is compatible with virtually all fluids
and additives, functional throughout a broad temperature range, and a low wear-rate enabling it to
exceed todays required warranty periods.

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How They Work

Rotary shaft seals work by squeezing and maintaining the lubricant in a thin layer between the lip and hydrogen embrittlement. Solid particles cause more rapid damage to the bearing race through high-
the shaft. Sealing is further aided by the hydrodynamic action caused by the rotating shaft, which localized stresses and increased frictional heat.
create a slight pumping action
The sliding contact between the seal lip and the shaft will generate friction, increasing the contact
Rotary shaft seals provide protection by performing two critical functions. In most applications the temperature beyond the temperature caused by the bearings and other sources. Heat accelerates the
primary function of the seal is to retain the bearing or system lubricant. There are thousands of breakdown of the oil and starts forming a varnish on the hot spots. Over time, the varnish changes
different types of lubricants available today, but in general bearings are either oil or grease lubricated. to carbon and builds in thickness as the surrounding oil loses its lubricity. How quickly this happens
is dependent on temperature. The deposit can leak and abrade the lip, causing leakage. The time to
The second function of the seal is to exclude outboard material that can contaminate the system reach each stage is cut in half for each 18F (10c) increase in temperature.
lubricant or directly damage the bearing. The type of contamination the seal will need to exclude
is dependent on the application. The more common types are moisture, water, and dry materials The amount of frictional heat that is generated is a combination of many operating parameters.
including dust, sand, dirt or particulates such as those generated by manufacturing processes. Shaft surface, internal pressure, operating speed, lubricant type, lubricant level, lip geometry and
lip material are just a few of the conditions that need to be considered. It is important to note that
The seals ability to retain the system lubricant and exclude contaminants plays a key role in the service these conditions are very interactive. For example, an increase in shaft speed will increase the sump
life of equipment components such as bearings, and gears and relies on the system lubricant. The seal temperature. If not vented, the temperature rise will increase the pressure inside the housing. The
can have a dramatic impact on the service life of the system lubricant, reducing exposure to excessive internal pressure will push on the seal lip and create additional force between the seal lip and the shaft.
frictional heat and excluding
Seal Lip Lubricant In turn, the operating temperature under the seal lip will see a significant rise in temperature and can
foreign material. Contaminants cause premature seal failure within hours.

Typical petroleum oil has a useful life

of thirty years at 86F (30C) if it is not
contaminated with water or particulate
matter, but the same oil has a life of only
a month at 212F (100C). As little as
0.002% water in oil lubrication can reduce
Hydrodynamic Pumping Action
ball bearing life by 50%, primarily through
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Why PTFE?
Temperature Range for Typical Sealing Materials Before Breakdown
600 40
Extreme temperature Used at greater extremes

M
PM
RPM

M
0 RPM
30,000 RP
- Shaft OD, RPM, etc.

RP
RP

RP
->270C (520F)

00 R

00
00
00
00

M
400

PM
M

RP
6,0
->270C (-450F)

15,00

7,0
8,6
RP

9,0
35

10,0

0R
M

0
0 Covers the same

00
50

RP

50
3,

4,
4,
00
200 Acids operating ranges as nitrile,

5,0
Degrees Farenheit
30 PM polyacrylate, and FKM...
00R
Chemicals PTFE 3,0 combined
0
PTFE FKM HBNR EPDM NITRILE FKM

Shaft Surface Speed (m/s)

25 PM
0R
Abrasive media 2,5
0
-200

PSI: UHV to 500+ 20 RP

M
-400 ,000
2
Low to High RPM
POLYACRYLATE M
-600
15 0 RP
1,50
PTFE has a much broader temperature service range than any standard
elastomer material
10 RPM
1,000

Figure: 1 NITRILE
5 500 RPM

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
Shaft Diameter (mm)

Figure: 2

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Fillers Employed in PTFE Resins

PTFE Resin in its virgin form does not lend itself to being the most favorable sealing material for T
 he radial lip seal engineer can eliminate an/or offset these unfavorable characteristics by carefully
dynamic shaft applications. Therefore, various types of fillers are added to achieve the desirable establishing and applying proven PTFE seal design parameters, and incorporating rigid controls over
end properties, The more common fillers employed in radial lip seal materials are fiberglass, the processing cycle of the PTFE material. However, the addition of the proper type and amounts of
graphite, molybdenum disulfide, carbon, and coke flour. However, any type of filler can be added filler by itself can result in the following improvements:
to the virgin PTFE resin provided the filler can withstand the maximum sintering temperatures of -Thermal expansion reduced by factor of 5
710-730 degrees F.
-Wear resistance is increased by a factor approaching 1,000
In order to develop lip seal products properly from PTFE resins, it is extremely important that the -Resistance to Creep is increased by a factor of 10
engineer is aware of the unfavorable characteristics of the resin, as well as the favorable factors
It should be noted that many times the addition of a filler while improving some properties favorable
mentioned above. Improper seal design and lack of good control in material processing are perhaps
to seal function, will also increase undesirable characteristics. As an example, the addition of glass
the greatest cause for PTFE radial lip seal failures, but several characteristics and properties of the
fibers will improve both wear and Creep resistance, but also tend to increase the stiffness and
PTFE resin must be given considerable attention to fully realize a reliable product.
abrasive characteristics of the compound.
These are:
W
 ear Since wear rate is perhaps the most significant property of PTFE resin that is influenced by
-High wear rate of the PTFE resin and/or mating surface is affected when improper fillers are fillers, considerable testing has been performed on filled PTFE resins where rate of wear is the basic
used for a specific set of operations. unit of measurement in determining functional acceptance of a compound.

-The high thermal expansion rate and compressive Creep characteristics of PTFE resins tend to
upset the desired contact pattern area of a seal when it is exposed to heat and/or load conditions.

-PTFEs high flexural modulus results in a stiff sealing element when compared to present-day
elastomer elements, and therefore PTFEs ability to follow eccentric shaft movement can be
limited.

-The stiffness and apparent hardness of PTFE resins to make seal elements vulnerable to
damage in handling and at installation.

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A great amount of literature has been printed by both PTFE resin suppliers and product 18
fabricators regarding wear, and for most product applications this data will prove to be acceptable 16
for usage in compound selection.
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However, for radial lip seal products, wear rate testing must also take into account the process
cycle of the PTFE material, and final method of element fabrication. It is recommended that the 12

% Weight Loss
Virgin
test specimen for lip seal wear data closely resemble the final element configuration.
10 5% Carbon
To illustrate the wear performance of various filled PTFE compounds, five filled compounds were 15% Carbon
8
processed per the same molding pressure cycle, and sintered on the same time/temperature 15% Glass
testing span. Identical conventional Wafer elements were then machined from the billets of 6 15% Graphite
material and tested on a wear test fixture as shown in Table 1.
4

Physical ASTM Standard Virgin 15% Glass 25% Glass 15% Graphite 5% Glass 60% Bronze 2
Properties 5% Molybdenum

Specific Gravity D 1457-56T 2.18 2.21 2.24 2.14 2.22 3.68 0

0 24 48 72
Tensile Strength, D 1457-56T 4800 3500 2900 2800 4200 2000
PSI
Hours - % weight loss running in H2O
Elongation, % D 1457-56T 400 325 275 250 350 90

Flexural Modulus, D 747-61T 0.90 x 10^5 1.62 x 10^5 2.38 x 10^5 1.92x 10^5 - 1.97 x 10^5 Figure: 3
PSI

Hardness, D 1706-59T 58 64 66 64 62 70
Durometer, D Figures 3 and 4 show the rate of wear by weight loss after 12, 24, and 72 hour running intervals.
Compressive D 695-54T 750 1250 1400 1200 1100 1700 Note: unfilled virgin PTFE was also tested to illustrate effect of filler on wear rate.
Strength, PSI 1%
Strain
Wear data representing filled PTFE compounds in lubricating media is not shown, since the
Deformation at D 621-59 (ref.) 14.6 7.8 6.7 7.5 8.1 5.8
78 F, 2000 PSI,
24 hours %
presence of lubricant extends the noticeable wear point to beyond 1000 hours, and even then the
Coefficient Linear D 696-44 7.03 x 10^-5 3.12 x 10^-5 4.10 x 10^-5 4.67 x 10^-5 - 4.40 x 10^-5 wear rate difference between compounds is minimal unless factors such as speed, pressure, and
Expansion (per
Deg f)
Table: 1
temperature are greatly increased.

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PTFE Filler Chart

9
PTFE Desciption Application Temp Range C Temp Range C

8 Light duty service, FDA approved, Excellent for cryogenic and low molecular
TP-3115 -195 to 232 Lowest
weight gas service.
7 General purpose. Good wear in soft shaft applications. high speed & lower
TP-3102 -195 to 232 Low
pressures.
6 TP-3100
Excellent resistance to heat and wear. Recommended for dry or semi-dry
-195 to 260 Low

% Weight Loss
Virgin applications. Good in liquids and steam. Graphite added for lubricity.
5 5% Carbon Excellent wear and heat resistance. High pressure applications, good in
TP-3113 hydraulic oil. Abrasive in rotary service against soft metals unless lubricated. -156 to 287 Moderate
15% Carbon Molybdenum added for lubricity.
4
15% Glass FDA compliant. Exceptionally strong and prolongs life of the base PTFM.
TP-5114 -156 to 287 Moderate
3 15% Graphite Abrasive in rotary service against soft metals.

Excellent in dry service with low wear rate in vacuum and inert gases. Very low
2 TP-3105 abrasion to dynamic mating surface. Good in food applications and oil service. -267 to 260 Low
NOT good in water.

1 TP-5202
FDA compliant. Excellent wear and heat resistance. Excellent for high RPM
-195 to 260 Low
applications. Good in both dry and liquid applications.
0 TP-XXXX
We will custom blend, sinter, and mold a filled PTFE compound to provide
TBD TBD
you with the best material available for your application!!
0 24 48 72
Hours - % Weight Loss Running Dry
Table: 2

Figure: 4

T
 he choice of filler type and material processing cycle is still largely dependent upon the results
obtained from empirical testing. Continued development and engineered approaches to PTFE lip
seal design and manufacturing methods is establishing filled PTFE resins as an acceptable sealing
element material.

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PTFE Radial Lip Seal Design

Factors to consider regarding application of PTFE radial lip seals Prior to the selection of seal type,
and the filled PTFE compound to be utilized in a proposal, a thorough understanding of the operating
conditions and how they affect PTFE lip seal performance is required. The following are the most
important factors to consider:

Temperature: This is perhaps the most critical factor to consider when designing a PTFE lip seal. Due
to PTFEs high rate of thermal expansion, the pronounced change in flexural modulus at various
temperatures, and the compressive Creep characteristics, a controlled contact pattern and desirable
radial loading on the shaft surface are difficult to control. To achieve a satisfactory seal, the design and
material should be directed to the mean functional temperature range.

Shaft Speed: As a factor by itself, shaft speed has little effect on the PTFE lip seals, unless speeds
reach a level where severe temperature and wear are generated by the sealing element. Speed,
however, is a critical factor in seal design when the application is one that has a high degree of shaft
run-out, limited lubrication, or when a positive fluid pressure is present and the limiting PV range of
the material is approached.

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Fluid Type and Fluid Level: These are determining factors that greatly influence seal design. Contamination: Contamination is less critical to PTFE resins than elastomer compounds. Whereas
Although PTFE is compatible with most lubricants and chemicals, careful selection of seal type elastomer materials act like a grinding wheel when abrasive particles becomes embedded, PTFE
and filler type are required for fluids that have no lubricant value. Since the majority of lip seal allows the particles to penetrate and then transfers a film over the particles, therefore minimizing the
applications are involved with the sealing of lubricating oils, type of lubricant generally receives abrasive action. PTFE radial lip seals have been used without excluder lip where contamination is light,
little attention. Experience with certain extreme pressure gear lubricants has shown a definite but an excluder is recommended where heavy contamination is present.
form of reversion and high wear rate when the EP fluid was exposed to temperatures beyond its Installation: Installation of the PTFE radial lip seal is an area that requires attention by both the seal
recommended limit. Fluid level and/or amount of fluid in the adjacent seal area is a determining engineer and end user. Because PTFE is a stiff material and does not possess the elastic properties
factor on usage of a spring or other means to increase radial load. of elastomers, possible damage to the element from sharp edges and burrs on the shaft must be
Dynamic Shaft Run-Out: Shaft run-out is an operational condition that heavily influences the PTFE avoided. In most instances, installation problems can be overcome by proper seal design selection. If
element design and method of processing the material. To offset the high flexural modulus and the application requires a element design with heavy interference, and installation onto the shaft is
enable the element to follow the shaft movement, special design considerations and processing against the PTFE element, an installation tool should be considered.
techniques are employed to obtain as flexible an element as possible.

Shaft Material and Finish: These requirements are essentially the same as applied to elastomer
seals. Because of PTFEs tendency to transfer a film onto the adjacent shaft surface, a finish of
16 Max rms is recommended for sealing lubricants. Applications in which water and chemicals
are to be sealed require a smoother surface finish of 8-12 rms, since normally no transfer to
PTFE is obtained. Steel and cast iron are the best shaft materials, and stainless steel is preferred
over chrome plated materials. It is important that all finishes be produced by plunge grinding,
or a process that will not produce a helical lead to the shaft surface. Helical leads on the shaft
surface have a greater influence on PTFE than elastomers because of the low frictional hardness
characteristics of PTFE resins.

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Installation Tools Design Principles Employed in

Protect seal from damage caused by splines, keyways or shafts without a lead-in chamfer PTFE Radial Lip Seals
Properly aligns seal to shaft
The following will provide some insight into the basic design practices for PTFE lip seals
Typically made of plastic material PTFE radial lip seals generally incorporate a uniformly thin element cross section. The purpose of the
thin section is to compensate for the high flexural modulus of PTFE and specifically in applications
-Nylon or PVC
where severe shaft run-out is encountered. The thin sections also minimize the degree of thermal
expansion and compressive Creep and their effects on maintaining a controlled contact pattern on the
shaft surface. The majority of PTFE seal constructions have the Body portion of the element clamped
between the two metal cases. To maintain proper retention pressure on the element, a thin element
enables compression set and Creep to be kept to a minimum. From a cost standpoint, it is desirable
to keep material to a minimum and the element design as basic as possible. The only exception to thin
Shaft
element design is an application where lubrication is not present and high wear rates are predicted.
The contact pattern area in many PTFE seal designs is wider than related elastomer seals. In some
instances, the wide contact area was not intended, but due to the heavy interference on some non-
spring activated elements to achieve a desirable radial load, the element produced this effect when it
Seal Installation Tool was positioned on the shaft.

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The reasons for intentionally designing a wide contact into a sealing element are: Heat-Set the element ID is greater than the original fabricated dimension, and installation becomes
PTFE when exposed to elevated temperatures experiences a significant reduction in radial load. less troublesome. After the Heat-Set seal design is installed into the application, the initial heat
Therefore, to maintain the fluid film between the shaft and element, a wide contact area is generated from the friction will cause the element to attempt to return to its original ID.
desirable to prevent leakage.
T
 he employment of a spring to a PTFE element is normally determined by the seal engineer and their
Since PTFE is prone to damage on installation and handling, minor nicks in the extreme ID surface
particular design practices. However, there are definite situations that will predict usage of a spring.
are offset with the wide contact area.
These are:
In applications where fluid pressure is evident, the wide contact area enables the load to be
-Excessive amount of shaft run-out and/or shaft and bore misalignment.
distributed over a greater area, and therefore reducing both element and shaft wear. The wide
contact area on the shaft surface also allows higher spring loads to be applied to the elements -Pressure application where the element takes a compression set, and a spring is required to
without increasing wear and/or shaft scoring. provide immediate response when pressure is suddenly reduced.
When the wide contact principle is employed in PTFE lip seal designs, and especially spring -Where loss of radial load, due to high temperatures, will result in leakage
activated elements, the design parameters of the seal must not allow Bell Mouthing to occur.
-To offset the high flexural modulus in low temperature environment
This affect, in figure 5, will create an oil wedge and produce high leakage rates.

The amount of interference between the element ID and shaft OD may vary from one design to
another. Heavy interference is normally associated with non spring-loaded element designs.
This interference provides greater radial load and enables the element to follow shaft run-
out. By incorporating a spring, the interference factor can be reduced. For designs that depend
upon large running interferences, and this can apply to both spring and non-spring designs, the
problem of installation damage becomes very critical. Although installation tools can be utilized,
it is preferable to take advantage of the Heat-Set characteristic of the PTFE material. Once the
desired sealing interference has been determined and the element is machined or molded to this
diameter, the element ID is then stretched over a predetermined diameter and the element is
exposed to a Heat-Setting operation. Heat-Set is nothing more than applying a specific amount
of heat to an element and allowing the element to cool on a mandrel of predeveloped size. After

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Factors Affecting PTFE Rotary Lip Seal Design

PTFE Rotary Lip Seal: Definitions
Cross-Section
and Series Style Description Pressure Range Temperature Range Description / Application
Outer Case Spacer
Rotary shaft seal designed for general purpose where application
-Houses all components of seal Gasket 100 1 PTFE Element
60 psi
(0.414 MPa)
-65 to 500F
(-54 to 260C)
requires low friction, high pressure, and may contact harsh chemicals.
Good or low pressure sealing as well.
-Press-fit into bore to prevent seal rotation Outer Case Inner Case
Inner Case Designed with two elements spaced apart for enhanced sealing in one
2 PTFE Elements 250 psi -65 to 500F
200 layout. Excellent for applications where sealing media can be a safety
Spaced Apart (1.73 MPa) (-54 to 260C)
-Compress internal components concern. Goodfor low pressure sealing as well.

-Locates bend point of element

PTFE Elements 1 PTFE Element 1 Designed for applications requiring sealing high pressure and/or caustic
Gasket 300 Wiper Element
40 psi -65 to 500F chemicals but also requires keeping dirt, water, or debris away from
(0.276 MPa) (-54 to 260C) active sealing surface. Good for low pressure sealing as well.
(Opposite Direction)
-Helps prevent internal leakage

-Takes up tolerances in assembly 2 PTFE Elements

Combination of the dual design for enhanced sealing with the third
Spaced Apart 150 psi -65 to 500F
400 element in the opposite direction to keep dirt and debris out. Good
1 Wiper Element (1.04 MPa) (-54 to 260C)
Spacer (Opposite Direction)
for low pressure sealing as well.

-Locates bend point of element

-Spaces multiple elements apart for ideal sealing 2 PTFE Elements 60 psi -65 to 500F (
Designed for bidirectional shafts. Uses two sealing elements facing
500 opposite directions for active sealing on both sides of the seal. Good
(Opposite Direction) (0.414 MPa) -54 to 260C) for low pressure sealing as well.
PTFE element(s)

-Mechanically formed to a diameter smaller Another variation of the dual element design. Elements are stacked
2 PTFE Elements 90 psi -65 to 500F
than shaft 600 (Same Direction) (0.621 MPa) (-54 to 260C)
together which allows sealing at higher pressures and high speeds in
abrasive media. Excellent for low pressure sealing as well.

-Takes advantage of hoop stress of PTFE

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Shaft Considerations
Proper surface finish is critical to ensure positive sealing, and achieve the longest seal life possible
in rotating applications. Rotating surfaces that are too rough can create leak paths and can be very
abrasive to the seal. Unlike elastomer contact seals, PTFE-based lips can run on very smooth surfaces
with or without lubrication. Due to the toughness and low coefficient of friction or PTFE, PTFE lip seals,
unlike seals made of other materials, slip over the high points of the mating surface and resist abrasion.
The optimal surface finish for PTFE Lip seal applications is summarized in the Table 3.

Surface Finishes

18 Ra

18 Ra

18 Ra

Table: 3

Dynamic surfaces with relatively rough finishes will result in higher wear rates, which decreases the seal
life and may compromise performance. Additionally, dynamic surfaces which have a finish smoother
than recommended may also decrease the seals effectiveness. The optimum surface roughness allows
a film of the fluid being sealed to flow between the seal and the mating surface, which effectively
lubricates and extends the life of the seal.
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PTFE rotary seal applications require a hard running surface on the dynamic portion of the hardware. When hardness exceeds 45 Rc, the initial surface finish is even more critical to seal life. The hardness
The harder surface allows the use of higher reinforced seal materials that will increase the seal and of the dynamic hardware surface affects the wear rate of the seal. Additionally, some seal lip
hardware life. Softer running surfaces must use lower wear resistant materials that will not damage materials are abrasive and will wear softer metal shafts or dynamic components. In general, finer
the hardware and normally yield shorter seal life. A balance between seal material and dynamic surface finish results in better overall seal and hardware performance. The ideal hardness of the
surface hardness must be met to ensure that the seal remains the sacrificial component. Table 4 dynamic surfaces of the hardware is 50 to 60 Rockwell C. The actual hardness used is normally a
includes minimum surface hardness. balance between the additional cost associated with finishing harder materials versus the maximum
seal life that will be achievable.

Recommended Minimum Hardness Values S

 haft Tolerances: Shaft diameters should be held to the tolerances specified In Tables 5-6:

Type of Surface
Rockwell C Hardness
Lubrication Shaft Tolerance for Inch Fractional
Motion Speed At 0 psi 150 500 1000 5000+
(0,0 Mpa) (1,0) (3,5) (6,9) (34,5+) Shaft Diameter Tolerance
Up to 100 Up to 4.000 +/- 0.003
Good 28 28 30 35 44
sfpm 4.001 to 6.000 +/- 0.004
Poor 30 30 35 40 50
(0,51 m/s)
Reciprocating 6.001 to 10.000 +/- 0.005
Over 100 Good 35 35 40 44 50 Over 10.000 +/- 0.006
Table: 5
(0,51) Poor 44 44 48 50 60
Shaft Tolerance for Metric
Up to 150 Good 35 44 50 65 70
(0,76) Poor 44 50 55 70 70+ Shaft Diameter Tolerance
Up to 10 mm +0 to-0.09 mm

Rotary Up to 500 Good 55 58 65 70 70+ Over 10-18 +0 to-0.11 mm

(2,54) Poor 60 65 70 70+ Consult GFS Over 18-30 +0 to-0.13 mm
Over 30-50 +0 to-0.16 mm
Consult GFS Over 50-80 +0 to-0.19 mm
Over 2500 Good 58 65 70 70+
Engineering
Table: 4 Over 80-120 +0 to-0.22 mm
Over 120-180 +0 to-0.25 mm
Over 180-250 +0 to-0.29 mm
Over 250-315 +0 to-0.32 mm
When the dynamic surface hardness is below 45 Rc, most seal materials will polish the running
Over 315-400 +0 to-0.36 mm
surface of the hardware and the seal. This initial break-in period will cause seal wear to taper off over
Over 400-500 +0 to-0.40 mm
Table: 6
a period of time, depending on the seal material, surface finish and PV of the application.
*ISO Standard 286-2, h11

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Housing / Bore Considerations Pressure and Shaft Velocity

Typical PTFE rotary lip seals are pressed into the bore to assure proper OD sealing and seal retention Unlike reciprocating applications, seals that ride on a rotating shaft have a contact point that is
in the housing. The most commonly used materials for seal housings are steel and cast iron. Care localized in only one small area where dynamic forces and energy are concentrated. In fact, much of
must be taken when softer materials such as aluminum, bronze or plastics are used for the housing the energy from the shaft is dissipated at the seal in the form of frictional heat and wear, both of which
material. Aluminum has a thermal expansion rate almost double that of steel. Metal case designs can are detrimental to seal life. This effect is accentuated by increasing the shaft speed or by increasing
lose the requires press fit in an aluminum housing when they go through thermal cycles due to the the perpendicular force holding the lip against the shaft. Shaft speed can be measured in surface feet
higher rate of thermal expansion of aluminum. per minute and the lip force can be approximated by measuring the differential pressure across the
A Finish range of 32 to 63 in Ra (0.8 to 1.6m Ra) is recommended for service pressures up to 3 psi seal in psi. Shaft velocity in surface feet per minute is calculated as follows:
(0.20 bar). If the fluid is thick, such as a grease, a 125 in Ra (3.17 m Ra) finish would be acceptable
with no system pressure. Surface Shaft
Velocity = Diameter Shaft
RPM 0.262
A lead-in chamfer is highly recommended for all seal housings. The chamfer aligns the seal during (In sfpm) (Inches)
installation and helps prevent the seal from cocking. Both corners of the chamfer should be free of
burrs and sharp edges.
For pressurized rotary applications, additional precautions are needed to ensure the seal is not pushed One way to estimate the exposure to these risks is to calculate the PV-value by multiplying the
out of the housing. pressure held by the seal (P in psi) by the surface velocity of the shaft (V in surface feet per minute).
The product of the multiplication provides the designer with a guide to aid in the choice of seal profile
and material. Below is an example:

Surface Shaft
Velocity
= Diameter

Shaft
RPM
0.262

= 1.25 350 RPM

0.262
= 115 sfpm

PV-Value = Pressure Shaft Velocity

= 45 psl 115 sfpm
= 5175 ft. lb./In2 min.

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Shaft Misalignment and Runout Shaft Runout

Applications with rotating shafts come with their own set of common problems. Among these
Shaft Runout
are those associated with the shaft not being aligned properly with the surrounding hardware.
Envelope
Misalignment most commonly manifests itself as Eccentricity and Runout. Every shaft has some
degree of both as described in Figure 5.
Eccentricity of a rotating shaft creates two problems. One is that it forces the seal lip to follow a
shaft that is not centered in the bore, wearing the lip more on one side. Because they are less elastic,
Shaft Centerline
PTFE seals are more susceptible to failure, misalignment and runout conditions than elastomeric lip Bore Centerline (Orbits around
seals. The second potential problem is that it enlarges the extrusion gap on one side, which could be axis of rotation)
detrimental if high pressure is involved.
Shaft Runout is when the shaft is spinning on an axis of rotation that is offset from the geometric Shaft Axis
Shaft Geometric
of Rotation
center of the shaft at the point of seal lip contact. Runout can be caused by a bent shaft or by whirling Centerline
deflection while spinning. The seal must be sufficiently compliant to maintain contact with the shaft
despite being compressed and extended each revolution. It follows that shaft runout becomes more Eccentricity
of a problem at high speeds.
Shaft Runout

In this case, cyclical radial deflection due to runout is superimposed

on static radial deflection due to eccentricity.

Figure 5

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 Question? 800.822.4063 Question? 800.822.4063

All rotating shafts have eccentricity and runout to some degree. The risk of failure increases
significantly if a system has a considerable amount of both.
Application Areas for PTFE Radial Lip Seal
Because of PTFEs superior physical and mechanical properties and its chemical resistance, the
application areas where PTFE radial lips seals are being employed has increased rapidly. The only
Shaft Eccentricity limiting factor to PTFE being used throughout the majority of applications is cost. The following are a
few of the more popular applications for PTFE radial lip seals
Shaft Centerline
Diesel Engine Applications
-These consist of the front and rear crankshaft, accessory drive, blower and thermostat seals. PTFE
lip seals are being used and tested for these areas because of their ability to meet the performance
and life requirements of todays engines. Minimum wear, performance at high temperatures with
limited lubrication, resistance to abrasive contaminants, and fluid compatibility are the primary
factors for PTFEs approval in the above applications.
Bore Centerline
Hydraulic Applications

Seal Housing Cavity Diameter -Applications such as motors, pumps, and hydrostatic transmissions are using PTFE lip seals at an
(Bore) increasing rate. It is not unusual to apply a PTFE lip seal in pressurized applications where the seal
is exposed to pressure velocity values as high as 250,000 (250 psi and 1000 fpm) and achieve a
seal life of 5000 hrs. Besides performance, PTFE lip seals normally are less expensive than the
high pressure face seals currently being used, and can offer additional savings by the elimination of
ECCENTRICITY MISALIGNMENT costly venting methods that are employed to reduce pressure in the seal area.
Turbine Engines
-Turbines and their related gear box assemblies are presently incorporating PTFE lip seals because
With eccentricity, only static radial deflection is imposed on seal. of life and minimum leakage rates achieved when these seals are exposed to shaft speed of 6000
ft/min and temperatures of 400F.

Figure 6

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Fractional Horsepower Motors Wear Sleeves: Surface Hardening Processes

-Motors that require a seal in oil, or seal out contaminants are using PTFE lip seals because of their
Wear Sleeve Materials & Recommended Surface Treatments
ability to perform with minimum torque being generated.
Treatment Sleeve Material & Available
The usage of PTFE radial lip seals continues to grow in other areas such as food processing equipment, Treatment Types Description ofTreatment Types
Code Treatment Types
chemical processing equipment, low-temperature environments, chemical processing equipment, and
Low Volume, Long Life, Abrasive Media,
A Ceramic 4140 CRS (A, B, C, D)
applications that require a seal to function in pressurized gases. NoLube
Good for low to medium corrosion
B ION Nitride resistance, no post-op grinding AR400 (B)
necessary
Wear Sleeves Damaged / Worn Shaft
Case hardened, .003 inexpensive vs 300 Series SS (E)
Seal C Thin Dense Chrome
Used when ideal conditions are not met: hard chrome

-Poor shaft surface or low hardness D Hard Chrome Good corrosion resistance 0-1 Tool Steel (A, B, C, D)

-Damaged shaft Achieve HRc of 70+, Ra of ~9,

E Tri-ArmorTM 17-4 PH (B)
No surface change
Hardened running surface
Table: 7
Controlled surface finish
Less costly than replacing a damaged /
Imperfect Shaft
worn shaft Press Fit
Wear Sleeve

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 Question? 800.822.4063 Question? 800.822.4063

Application Data Sheet

Application Data Form
Company Name: Individual:
Street Address: Title:
City: Phone:
State & Zip: Fax:

Type of Application:
Bore Dia: Bore Material: Bore Finish:
Seal Width: Shaft Hardness: Method of Finish:
Can above seal gland dimensions be changed?: (How much?):

Minimum life expectancy required (Hours):

Present seal type & element material:
Estimate of life with present seal (Hours):

Type of media to be sealed:

Amount of media in seal area: Full head ( ) Half Shaft ( ) Splash ( ) Mist ( )
Fluid Pressure: Pressure Cycle:
Operational Temperature Range:
Shaft Speed: Torque Requirements:
Direction of shaft rotation (Viewed from dry side of seal): CW ( ) CCW ( ) Both ( )
Bore / Shaft Misalignment: TIR Dynamic Shaft Runout: TIR
Direction of shaft entry into seal From rear of seal ( ) From Front of seal ( )
During installation, will element pass over keyway, spline, etc Yes ( ) No ( )

Type of evaluation: Bench ( ) Field ( ) Both ( )

Annual estimated usage: Lot size purchase:
If possible, provide target price range expected:

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 Brought to you by

Gallagher Fluid Seals, Inc.

500 Hertzog Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: (800) 822-4063
Fax: (888) 280-4235