Shaft Seal Handbbok PDF

Shaft Seal Handbook
About ESP
About ESP
ESP offers a suite of products and services that are critical to
global OEMs.
ESP has developed in-house engineering that helps design OEM

components such as seals, metal castings and forgings, and also
provides value-added assembly, inventory management programs
and supply chain logistics. After working with customers on design,
ESP then uses its qualified domestic and global factories to find the
best cost manufacturer of the component. ESP can then provide
any necessary subassembly or add the components to a highly
automated inventory management program.
ESP continues to increase the value added to our customers’ bottom

line with successfully implemented engineering services, assembly
services, assembly fixtures, kitting, global supplier qualification,
vendor optimization and the technology to efficiently manage a
process from sourcing to manufacturing plant delivery.
Worldwide Presence
ESP has a global strategy with
physical locations in China, India
and Taiwan. We made the decision
that the best way to participate
in globalization was to follow our
customers around the globe.
Industries Served
Ag & Construction Equipment
Fluid Power & Handling
Power Sport Vehicles
Powertrain Sealing Systems
Lawn & Garden Equipment
i.
ESP International | 5920 Dry Creek Lane NE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 | Phone: 888.ESP.9002 | www.espint.com
Product Line
RADIAL SHAFT SEALS

Product Line
• Oil Seals
• Grease Seals
• Axial Face Seals
• Valve Stem Seals
• V-Rings
O-RINGS
• O-ring Kits
• Extruded Cord
• Spliced O-Rings – precision vulcanized
• X-Rings
• Square Rings
• Backup Rings
FLUID POWER PRODUCTS

• U-Cups in all styles and materials
• O-ring Loaded piston/rod seals in various materials
• Wear Rings
• Rod Wipers, Metal Encased and various materials
• T-Seals
• Piston Seals
CUSTOM MOLDED RUBBER & INJECTION MOLDING – ANY SHAPE AND

MATERIAL, RUBBER TO METAL, ETC.
FASTENER AND THREAD SEALS
ii.
WARNING
Failure, improper selec-
tion or improper use of
the products and/or systems
described herein or related items
can cause death, personal injury and
property damage.
This document, along with product properties and operating parameters from ESP Inter-
national are based upon industry standards or reported by others.
Please carefully evaluate your particular application. In any application for which there
might be a risk of property damage or injury to persons, the final selection of a suitable
product should be made by individuals possessing sufficient technical skills and compe-
tence. Only a trained professional should make the final product selection.
It is important that you analyze all aspects of your application and review the information
concerning the product or system. Due to the variety of operating conditions and appli-
cation for these products, the user through his or her own analysis and testing, is solely re-
sponsible for making the final product definition and assuring that all performance, safety
and warning requirements of the application are met. The information in this document
is subject to change by ESP International and its subsidiaries at any time without notice.
iii.
Page
Introduction ......................................... 5
Table of Contents
Materials .............................................. 7
Seal Design ......................................... 33
Profiles ................................................ 81
Manufacturing Process ................... 103
Installation ........................................ 111
Applications ..................................... 121
Custom Seal Testing ........................ 129
Troubleshooting ............................... 137
Order Information ............................ 177
Reference ......................................... 181
iv.
INTRODUCTION
THE EVOLUTION OF RADIAL SHAFT

SEALS
For centuries engineers have been faced with the
challenge of effectively sealing against dynamic surfaces.
In the frontier era, as people began to migrate west across
great distances, the need for a sealing system that could ex-
tend the life of wagon wheels became a necessity. The first
known shaft seals were leather straps used to retain animal
fat on the end of a wheel axle. This crude method of sealing
often leaked and required routine maintenance.
The Industrial Revolution spawned the development

of internal combustion engines, transmissions and gearboxes.
All of these systems had challenging sealing requirements.
The seals of the industrial age were organic ropes or

packings. These seals proved to be very effective until shaft
speeds, temperatures and other parameters increased with
the development of better transportation systems.
In the late 1920’s, a self contained shaft seal was cre-

ated from oil resistant leather assembled into a metal case.
This was the first radial lip seal to be press fit into an outside
diameter (OD) bore.
The most significant development in the evolution of

the radial lip seal happened toward the end of World War II.
A synthetic oil-resistant rubber, known as nitrile, replaced the
leather element, forever changing seal design. Methods for
bonding rubber to metal soon followed and, by the 1950’s,
direct bonded seals were readily available.
In the 1960’s high temperature elastomers were devel-

oped including: silicone, polyacrylate and fluorocarbon. The
increased price of these materials encouraged manufactur-
ers to reduce material volume to stay cost effective. The re-
sulting seal of the 1970’s remains one of the most common
designs today.
5.
ESP Catalog 0338
INTRODUCTION
The 1980’s brought an important change in radial lip

seal design. The dynamic sealing surface was incorporated
into the seal assembly. Doing this created a series of lips with
horizontal as well as vertical contact points. This integral sys-
tem was a technological advance that allowed manufac-
turers to take responsibility for the entire sealing system and
not just the seal. This allowed them to provide a value added
package, not just a commodity.
The future of radial shaft seals will be centered around

the relationship between customer and manufacturer. The
advancement of machinery design will depend on these re-
lationships; the first to be successful will lead the next phase
in seal evolution.
1800’s 1920’s 1940’s 1950’s 1970’s 1980’s
Radial Shaft Seal

Evolution
The first known shaft seals

were leather straps used
to retain animal fat on
the end of a wheel axle.
6.
MATERIALS
MATERIALS ELASTOMERS
Elastomers are polymers that have the

ability to recover within 10% of their original
length after being stretched 100% for five min-
utes.

A polymer is a macromolecule consisting
of a repeated chain of smaller units. Based on
their behavior when exposed to heat, polymers
can be divided into two categories, thermo-
plastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics.
The macromolecules in thermoplastics Macromolecules in

are entangled and not interconnected. They thermoplastics are
can be melted and reformed without significant entangled and not
impact to mechanical properties. Thermoplas- interconnected.
tics have good ductility and formability.
The macromolecules in thermosets are

closely intertwined and are interconnected.
Thermosets undergo chemical cross-linking dur-
ing hardening that is irreversible. This prevents
them from being remolded or recycled.
Elastomers are commonly referred to as

either natural or synthetic rubber. Natural rub-
ber comes from latex, a milky colloid produced
by some trees (especially trees of the genera
Hevea and Ficus). To harvest the latex a diago-
nal incision is made in the bark of the tree, the
Thermoset.
latex begins to flow through the incision and is
collected in buckets at the base of the tree. Macromolecules in
thermoset are closely
All of the elastomers discussed here are interwined and are
synthetic rubbers which are compounds com- interconnected.
prised of several constituents. These elastomers
are a mix of a base polymer and other chemi-
cals that are used to improve mechanical prop-
erties through a vulcanization process.
7.
ESP Catalog 0338
Vulcanization is a chemical process induced

by heating rubber with vulcanizing agent (such MATERIALS
as sulfur). Vulcanized rubber has higher tensile
strength and is more resistant to swelling and
abrasion. A typical elastomer compound may
be composed of the following elements:
• Base polymer: Can be natural rubber or syn-

thetic polymers. Natural rubber has a higher
tensile strength and resistance to fatigue,
while synthetic rubber offers better resistance
to abrasion, heat and the effects of aging.
• Fillers: Fillers are used for two main reasons,

to improve the mechanical properties of
the material (such as tear strength, tensile
strength, abrasion resistance and modulus of
elasticity) or to reduce cost. Carbon black
and silica are the most common reinforcing
fillers. Carbon black provides better modulus
and resistance to abrasion than colloidal sil-
Natural rubber.
ica. The smaller the particle size, the greater
Comes from latex,
the observed reinforcing effect.
a milky colloid
produced by some • Plasticizers: Plasticizers improve the flow of
trees. the rubber during processing and improve
the low temperature properties of the vul-
canizate. The most common plasticizers are
esters, pine tars and low molecular weight
polyethylene.
• Vulcanizing agents: The most common vul-

canizing agent is sulfur, but peroxides, ure-
thane crosslinkers, metallic oxides and ace-
toxysilane are also used.
• Accelerators: Accelerators increase the rate

of the cross linking reaction and cross linking
density, without affecting the properties of
the elastomer. The effect of a combination
of accelerators is stronger than the added
effects of the individual components.
8.
• Cure activators: are used to start vulcanization and pro-
mote crosslinking and cure. The two most common acti-
MATERIALS vators are zinc oxide and stearic acid.
• Inhibitors: When the temperature increases the reaction

rate increases as well, inhibitors are added to force a
slower chemical reaction during the vulcanization pro-
cess.
• Anti-degradants: Anti-degradants increase resistance

to the environment. Common anti-degradants include
antioxidants and antiozonants which help the elastomer
resist degradation from ozone, UV light and oxygen.
• Pigments: Pigments, organic and inorganic, are used to

color the material.
elastomer compound formation
Accelerators
Inhibitors
Anti-degradants
Plasticisers
Cure Activator ELASTOMER
Fillers COMPOUND
Base Polymer
Pigments
Vulcanizing Agents
Elastomer Compound.
A typical elastomer
compound may be
composed of these
elements.
9.
ESP Catalog 0338
THE EVOLUTION OF RUBBER

• In 1731 Charles Marie de La Condamine, a French geog- MATERIALS
rapher and mathematician, set out on an expedition to
South America. In 1736 while in route to Quito, Ecuador
La Condamine became the first westerner to encounter
rubber. He also coined the term “latex”.
• In 1770 Joseph Priestley discovered that rubbing the

material over pencil marks on paper would erase them,
and thus originated the name “rubber”.
• In 1791 Samuel Peal patented a method that made fab-

ric waterproof by treating it with rubber.
• In 1823 Charles Macintosh founded a factory that made

rainproof cloth and fabrics using rubber.
• In 1834 Friedrich Ludersdorf and Nathaniel Hayward dis-

cover that adding sulfur to the rubber made it less sticky.
• In 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered that adding sulfur

to rubber and then heating it made it retain its elasticity,
this process is known today as vulcanization.
• In 1860 Charles Hanson Greville Williams discovered that

natural rubber was an isoprene monomer, this was a
fundamental discovery for the development of synthet-
ic rubber years later.
• In 1877 Chapman Mitchell started working with sulfuric

acid to recycle rubber into new products.
• In 1905 Arthur H. Marks invented the alkaline recovery

process, and the first rubber factory laboratory was
founded.
• In 1906 George Oenslager discovered that adding ac-

celerators to the vulcanization process would reduce
the heating time for curing by 60 – 80%, improving the
properties of the rubber.
• In 1926 German scientist G. Ebert succeeded in produc-

ing a sodium-polymerized rubber from butadiene that
would become the predecesor to nitrile.
10.
• During World War II the supply of natural
rubber was greatly depleted, this accel-
MATERIALS erated the development of synthetic rub-
ber leading to many of the compounds
used today.
With the development of synthetic rub-

bers the mechanical properties of the materi-
als could be significantly improved. Today the
use of synthetic rubber in industry is common
place and can be found in many products
such as radial shaft seals.
Hardness Tester.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES Measure of a

material’s resistance to
deformation by surface
Elastomers are a versatile product used
indentantion.
in a wide range of applications. When select-
ing a compound there are a number of physi-
cal properties that should to be considered:
• Hardness: The measure of a material’s

resistance to deformation by surface in-
dentation. The typical measuring system
for elastomers is the Shore durometer. The
A scale is used for soft elastomers, while
the D scale is used for harder elastomers.
The ASTM specification for the durometer
hardness test method for rubber is ASTM
D2240.
• Tensile strength: The amount of force re- Tensile Strength

quired to fracture a rubber specimen Machine.
while applying tensile force along it. In
the metric system it is measured in MPa Amount of force
(megapascals) and in the English System required to fracture a
it is measured in psi (pounds-per-square- rubber specimen while
inch). The ASTM specification for tension applying tensile force
test methods for vulcanized rubber and along it.
thermoplastic elastomers is ASTM D412.
11.
ESP Catalog 0338
• Elongation: The percentage that the MATERIALS

rubber specimen will deform before
braking when a tensile force is applied.
• Modulus: is the stress required to pro-

duce a given force. Higher modulus =
less extrusion. It is measured in MPa.
• Tear resistance: Is the capacity of a ma-

terial to resist the growth of a cut when
Tear Resistance Tester. tension is applied. It is measured in kN/m
(kilonewtons per meter) for the metric
The capacity of a system or in lbf/in (pounds force per inch)
material to resist the for the English system. The ASTM specifi-
growth of a cut when cation for tear strength of conventional
tension is applied.
vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic
elastomers is ASTM D624.
• Abrasion resistance: Is the amount of

material lost due to wear by the contact
of a moving part.
• Flexibility: The resistance of the material

to a bending force without being dam-
aged.
• Adhesion: Ability of the material to cling

to the metallic case. The ASTM test
Abrasion Resistance method for adhesion to rigid substrates
Tester. is ASTM D429.
Amount of material • Compression set resistance: The per-

lost due to wear by the centage of the original specimen thick-
contact of a moving ness after axially directed pushing forc-
part. es are applied and released over a set
temperature and time. The ASTM specifi-
cation for compression set is ASTM D395.
12.
• Resilience: The ability to absorb temporary energy with-
out creating a permanent distortion. The ASTM specifica-
MATERIALS tion for resilience is ASTM D945.
Compression Set Tester. Resilience Tester.
Percentage of the original Ability to absorb temporary

specimen thickness after energy whitout creating a
axially directed pushing permanent distortion.
forces are applied.
MATERIALS PROFILES
Selecting the elastomer material for a radial shaft seal
is important because it has to ensure that it satisfies all of the
requirements for the application, without increasing the cost.
There are differents materials that are used to make ra-

dial shaft seals the most common materials used by ESP Inter-
national are the following:
• Nitrile (N)
• Hydrogenated Nitrile (H)
• Fluoroelastomer (F)
• Polyacrylate (P)
• Silicone (S)
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (E)
• Chloroprene (C)
• Polyurethane (AU)
13.
ESP Catalog 0338
NITRILE or BUNA N or NBR

MATERIALS
Low cost, temperature range -40° to +250° F,
most commonly used elastomer. Shelf life 3 to
5 years
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class – BF, BG, BK

or CH classifications.
ASTM D1418 Designation NBR, XNBR
Temperature Range.
ARP 5316 Shelf life 15 Years
Temperature range of Nitrile is the combination of butadiene

Nitrile (provides elasticity and low temperature flex-
ibility, creates resistance to heat, chemicals
and oxidation) and acrylonitrile (provides hard-
ness, tensile strength and creates resistance
to abrasion, fuel and oil). A standard general-
NITRILE purpose nitrile compound usually contains 34%
Polybutadiene - Acrylonitrile ACN (Acrylonitrile).
ACN ranges from 18% to 50%. While in-

crementing the ACN content, the high temper-
ature properties improve but it also affects the
low temperature properties.

Advantages: Excellent tensile strength,
abrasion, tear and compression resistance. It
is used in water and steam applications (be-
low 212° F), petroleum oils and fuels, silicone
oils and greases, propane, ethylene glycol, bu-
tane, vegetable, mineral oils and greases, di-
Molecular Structure of lute acids.
Nitrile.
Disadvantages: Low resistance to ozone,
Nitrile is the combination
of butadiene and
sunlight and weathering. Incompatible with
acrylonitrile. benzene, toluene, xylene, halogen derivatives
(carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene), ke-
tones (MEK, acetone), phosphate ester hydrau-
lic fluids (Skydrol, Pydraul), strong acids, glycol.
14.
MATERIALS HYDROGENATED NITRILE or
HNBR or HYDROGENATED
NITRILE BUTADIENE RUBBER
High cost, temperature range -25° to +300°F
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class DH Temperature Range.
ASTM D1418 Designation None Temperature range of

Hydrogenated Nitrile
MIL-HDBK-695 Shelf life 15 Years
Hydrogenated Nitrile comes from add-

ing hydrogen to the nitrile molecular chain to
make it more stable. The addition of hydrogen
reduces the number of carbon-carbon double HYDROGENATED NITRILE
bonds, making it less reactive. Hydrogenated Nitrile

Advantages: In comparison with NBR,
HNBR has better abrasion resistance, tear re-
sistance, high temperature properties and re-
sistance to chemical attacks. It can be used
in ozone applications, R134a refrigerant gas,
petroleum oils and fuels, water and team (up
to 300° F), silicone oils and greases, vegetable
and animal fats and fluids.
Disadvantages: Cannot be use in chlori-

nated hydrocarbons, polar solvents (esters and Molecular Structure of
ketones), and strong acids. Hydrogenate Nitrile.
The addition of
hydrogen reduces the
number of carbon-
carbon double bonds,
making it less reactive.
15.
ESP Catalog 0338
POLYACRYLATE or ACM MATERIALS
Medium cost, temperature -25° to +275°F
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class – DF, DH or

EH
Temperature Range. ASTM D1418 Designation ACM
Temperature range of MIL-HDBK-695 Shelf life 20 Years

Polyacrylate.
Polyacrylate are copolymers of ethyl or
butyl acrylate with a combination of chlorine,
acid, amide or epoxy compounds.
Advantages: Resistance to petroleum

POLYACRYLATE
Polyacrylate fuels and oils, automatic transmission fluid,
type A power steering fluid. Good resistance
to mineral oil, sunlight, oxygen and ozone.
Disadvantages: Cannot be used in al-

cohol, alkalis, glycol based brake fluids, EP flu-
ids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, gear oils, glycol
based brake fluids, hydrocarbons, water or
steam (above 275°F), acids and amines. Low-
er water compatibility, cold flexibility, strength
and compression set resistance than nitrile.
Molecular Structure of
Polyacrylate.
Are copolymers of
ethyl or butyl acrylate
with a combination of
chlorine, acid, amide
or epoxy compounds.
16.
FLUOROELASTOMER or
MATERIALS FLUOROCARBON or FKM or
VITON®
High cost, temperature -15° to +400°F
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class HK
ASTM D1418 Designation FKM

Temperature Range.
ARP 5316 Shelf life Unlimited
Temperature range of
Fluorine is added to thermoset elasto- Fluorocarbon
mers creating Fluoroelastomers. It’s generally
composed of vinylidene fluoride (VF2), hexa-
fluoropropylene (HFP), containing 66% – 70%
fluorine. And other components are added Fluorocarbon
FLUOROCARBON
to improve different properties, like tetrafluo-
roethylene, which offers better chemical resis-
tance and perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE)
which improves FKM’s low temperature prop-
erties.
Advantages: Excellent resistance to

chemicals, oil, ozone and sunlight. Can be
used in petroleum oils and fuel, non flam-
mable hydraulic fuels, acids, aircraft engine
applications, synthetic hydraulic fluids, or-
ganic solvents, mineral and vegetable oil
and grease, aliphatic hydrocarbons (butane,
propane, natural gas), hard vacuum applica-
tions, silicone oils and greases, solvents and
water or steam (up to 400°F).
Disadvantages: Cannot be used in Fluorocarbon.
amines, glycol based brake fluids, methanol,
ammonia gas, amines, alkalis, hydrocarbons, Fluorine is added to
ketones, low molecular weight esters and thermoset elastomers
ethers, fireproof hydraulic fluids, formic and creating the
acetic acids. Fluoroelastomers family.
17.
ESP Catalog 0338
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
or FEP or PTFE or TEFLON MATERIALS
High cost, temperature -65° to 325°F
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class
ASTM D1418 Designation FEP

Temperature Range.
Shelf life Unlimited
Polytetrafluoroethylene.
Polytetrafluoroethylene, also common-
ly known as Teflon®, is known for its non-reac-
tive characteristic. The strength between the
bonds of carbon and fluorine gives the mate-
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
Polytetrafluoroethylene rial this non-reactive characteristic. It is widely
used in a lot of industries because it has one of
the lowest coefficients of friction against any
solid.
Advantages: Great chemical resis-

tance. Can be used in petroleum oils and
fuels, ozone, chemical applications, solvents
(MEK, acetone, xylene), and weather. It is
used in high speed and pressure applications;
and in applications where lubricants cannot
be used. Known for it’s low friction properties.

Disadvantages: Cannot be used in flu-
orine greases and oils, chlorine trifluoride, and
Molecular Structure of molten alkali metal solutions. It doesn’t seal
Polytetrafluoroethylene well when the surface of the rod is rough or
vibrates.
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) is commonly
known as Teflon.
18.
MATERIALS SILICONE or VMQ or Q
Medium cost, temperature -65° to +300°F
ASTM D2000/ SAE J200 Type/Class – FC, FE or

GE
ASTM D1418 Designation MQ, PMQ, VMQ Temperature Range.
ARP 5316 Shelf life Unlimited Temperature range of

Silicone.
Silicones are elastomers made from
silicone, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Sili-
cones are used in the medical and food in-
dustry because they do not have any odor or
taste.
SILICONE
Silicone
Advantages: Resistant to oxygen,

ozone, UV light, mineral and vegetable oils,
diluted salt solutions, engine and transmission
oil, brake fluids (non petroleum base), fire re-
sistant hydraulic fluid, high molecular weight
chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons. Good
flexibility and compression set.
Disadvantages: Cannot be used in

acids, EP fluids, fuels, gear oils, ketones and
benzene. Should not be used in dynamic ap-
plications due to it’s low tensile strength, poor
wear and tear strength.
Silicone.
Are elastomers made

from silicone, oxygen,
hydrogen and carbon.
19.
ESP Catalog 0338
CHLOROPRENE RUBBER or CR MATERIALS

or Neoprene®
Temperature -40° to 250°F
ASTM D2000/J200 Type/Class BC, BE
Temperature Range. ASTM D1418 Designation CR
Temperature range of ARP 5316 Shelf life 15 Years

Chloroprene Rubber.
Chloroprene is the first synthetic rub-
ber developed commercially and exhibits
generally good ozone, aging and chemical
resistance. It has good mechanical proper-
Chloroprene
CHLOROPRENE
ties over a wide temperature range.
Advantages: Can be use in paraf-

fin base mineral oil with low DPI, silicone oil
and grease, water and water solvents (up
to 250°F), refrigerants, ammonia and carbon
dioxide.
Disadvantages: Cannot be used with

aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydro-
carbons, ketones, esters and ethers.
Chloroprene
First synthetic
rubber developed
commercially.
20.
MATERIALS EPDM or ETHYLENE PROPYLENE
DIENE MONOMER
Temperature -70° to 302°F
ASTM D2000/J200 Type/Class AA, BA, CA, DA
ASTM D1418 Designation EPDM Temperature Range.
ARP 5316 Shelf life Unlimited Temperature range

of Ethylene Propylene
Ethylene propylene diene monomer is Diene Monomer.
also known as EPDM, the E stands for ethylene,
P for propylene, D for Diene and M for mono-
mer. The ethylene content is typically around
45% to 75% for the EPDM. EPDM
Advantages: Can be used in water
and steam (up to 300°F), glycol based brake
fluids, silicone-based break fluids, many or-
ganic and inorganic acids, cleaning agents,
sodium and potassium alkalis, phosphate-
ester based hydraulic fluids, silicone oil and
grease, alcohols, ketones, esters and ozone.

mineral oil products like oils, greases and fuels.
Molecular Structure
of Ethylene Propylene
Diene Monomer
The E stands for

ethylen, P for
propylene, D for diene
and M for monomer.
21.
ESP Catalog 0338
POLYURETHANE or AU or EU MATERIALS
Temperature -40°F to 180°F
ASTM D2000 /J200 Type/Class BG
ASTM D1418 Designation AU, EU

Temperature Range. ARP 5316 Shelf life 5 Years
Polyurethane. Polyurethanes are produced by the
polyaddition reaction of a polyisocyanate with
a polyol in the presence of a catalyst.
Advantages: Good wear resistance,

POLYURETHANE high tensile strength, tear strength, extrusion re-
Polyurethane sistance and elasticity. Can be used with pro-
pane, butane, mineral oil and grease, silicone
oil and grease.

ketones, esters, ethers, alcohols, glycols, steam,
alkalis, amines, acids. Water resistant capable
but only up to 125°F.
Polyurethane
The essential
components of
Polyurethane are
isocyanate and polyol.
22.
CASE MATERIALS
MATERIALS The material of the metal case can be car-
bon steel or stainless steel depending on the cus-
tomers requirements. Other materials such as alumi-
num and brass are available but seldom used due
to their additional cost.
Some factors that determine the material of

the case are the bore material, the fluid that its used
and the environment that the case is exposed to.
CARBON STEEL
According to The American Iron and Steel
Institute carbon steel is defined as having no more
than 2% carbon and no other appreciable alloying
elements. In seal constructions it is used as a general
purpose case material.

There are many grades of steel available but
for seal case construction low carbon steel is exten-
sively used. Low carbon steel generally has 0.04% -
0.15%, carbon content. It is also known as mild steel Metal Case.
and has a low tensile strength and is well suited for
installating into metal bores. The material of the
case can be carbon
steel or stainless.
CARBON STEEL
Low Carbon 0.04% - 0.15%
Medium Steel 0.3% - 0.6%
High Carbon More than 0.6%
STAINLESS STEEL
Used for its corrosion resistance properties, it
is non-magnetic and contains sufficient chromium
to form a passive film of chromium oxide, which pre-
vents further surface corrosion and blocks corrosion
from spreading into the metals internal structure. The
FDA requires that the seals being used in drug and
food preparation have a stainless steel case.
23.
ESP Catalog 0338
SPRING MATERIAL
The spring of the seal is made of mid-high carbon steel MATERIALS
or spring steel which contains 0.6 to 0.9% carbon. This mate-
rial is known to have very high yield strength which allows the
material to return back to it’s original shape after significant
bending or twisting.
Stainless steel is a second choice for spring material

and can be used in high temperature applications or in cor-
rosive environments.
The FDA also requires that for seals used in food and
drug preparation the spring must be a stainless steel material.
Garter Spring.
Commonly high
carbon spring steel.
24.
ASTM D 2000
MATERIALS
The American Society of Testing and Materials estab-
lished the ASTM D 2000/ SAE J200 the “Standard Classifica-
tion System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications”.
This classification is used to ensure that besides the dif-

ferent compounds manufacturers are using, the quality and
performance of the material is consistent.
This line call-out contains the following:
ASTM D2000-12 M2 BG 7 14 B14 EA14 EF11 EF21 EO34

Suffix Requirement Tests
Tensile Strength
Hardness
Class (Oil resistance)
Type (Heat resistance)
Grade Number
Metric Unit
Revision year
• The document name. The two digit number following

ASTM indicates the revision year.
ASTM D2000-12 M2 BG 7 14 B14 EA14 EF11 EF21 EO34
Revision Year
• The letter M indicates units are SI, when it’s not present
the units are in English units.
ASTM D2000 M2 BG 7 14 B14 EA14 EF11 EF21 EO34
Metric Unit
25.
ESP Catalog 0338
• The Grade Number defines specific added test re-

quirements in cases where the basic requirements do MATERIALS
not always sufficiently ensure an acceptable mate-
rial. A grade of 1 indicates that only the basic require-
ments need to be met. A grade of 2 or above indi-
cate additional tests are required for the material.
Grade Number
• The Type indicates the heat resistance properties of

the elastomer.
Type
TEST TEMPERATURE
TYPE
°C °F
A 70 158
B 100 212
C 125 257
D 150 302
E 175 347
F 200 392
G 225 137
H 250 482
J 275 527
K 300 572
26.
• The class indicates the swell resistance properties of
MATERIALS the elastomer as measured by volume swell under test
procedures.
Class
VOLUME SWELL
CLASS
(Maximum %)
A No requirement
B 140
C 120
D 100
E 80
F 60
G 40
H 30
J 20
K 10
27.
ESP Catalog 0338

The table below has the most common polymers used
for type and class: MATERIALS
Natural rubber, re- DE CM (Chlorine), CSM

AA claimed rubber, SBR, (Chlorosulfonyl)
butyl, EP, polybutadi-
ene, polysoprene DF Polyacrylate (butyl-
acrylate type)
AK Polysulphides
DH Polyacrylate polymers,
Ethylene propylene, HNBR
BA high temperature SBR,
butyl compounds EE AEM, ethylene acrylic,
(Vamac®)
BC Chloroprene polymers
(neoprene), CM EF Ethylene acrylic,
Vamac®
BE Chloroprene polymers
(neoprene), CM EH ACM (polyacrylate)
BF Nitrile EK Float zone silicone (FZ)
BG Nitrile, urethanes FC Silicone (high strength)
BK Nitrile
FE Silicones
CA Ethylene propylene
FK Fluorosilicone
Chlorosulfonated poly-
CE ethylene (Hypalon®), GE Silicones
CM (Chlorine)
CH Nitrile, epichlorohydrin HK Fluoroelastomers

polymer (Hydrin®) (Viton®, Fluorel)
DA Ethylene propylene KK Perfluoroelastomers

polymers
28.
MATERIALS • The next digit is the hardness of the elastomer, mea-
sure in the Shore A durometer.
Grade Number
• The next two digits indicate the minimum tensile

strength. If it’s in the metric units it will be in MPa
(megapascals); and if it’s in the English unit it’s in ksi
(kilopounds-per-square inch).
Tensile Strength
• Suffix requirement tests: the letters and numbers af-

ter the tensile strength indicates the additional test
that are required. The letter indicates the test, the
first digit indicates the test method and the second
digit indicates the temperature. The tests required
vary depending on the first digit after the suffix letter.
Suffix Requirement Test
29.
ESP Catalog 0338
• The table below shows the various tests required, with

MATERIALS
the first suffix letter listed down the side and the first
suffix number listed across the top.
Basic Require-
ments and First
Suffix No. Basic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Requirement or
Suffix Letter
Tensile Strength, D412, - - - - - - - - -

Elongation die C
Durometer Harde- D2240 - - - - - - - - -

ness, Type A
Suffix A, Heat - D573,70h D865,70h D865,168h D573,1000h D865,1000h - - - -

Resistance
Suffix B, Compres- D395,22h, D395,70h, D395,22h, D395,70h, D395,1000h D395,

sion Set, Standard - Method B, Method B, Method B, Method B, Method B, 1000h, - - -
Test Specimen Cut solid solid plied plied solid Method B,
from a Slab plied
Suffix C, Ozone or D1171, D1171, D1171,

Weather Resis- - ozone weather ozone - - - - - -
tance exposure, exposure,
Method A Method B
Suffix D, D575, D575,

Compresion-De- - Method A Method B - - - - - - -
flection Resistance
D471, ASTM D471, ASTM D471, ASTM D471, ASTM D471, ASTM D471, D471, D471,
Suffix EO, Oil Resis- - Oil No. 1, Oil No. 2, Oil No. 3, Oil No.1, Oil No.2 ASTM Oil Service Oil as -
tance 70h 70h 70h 168h 168h No. 3, Fluid No. specified
168h 101, 70h with ASTM
D471 Volume
Percent
D471, D471, D471, D471, Reference
Suffix EF, Fluid - Reference Reference Reference Reference Fuel D Plus - - - -
Resistance Fuel A, 70h Fuel B, 70h Fuel C, 70h Fuel D, 70h 15 Volume
Percent
Denatured
Ethanol, 70h
30.
MATERIALS
Basic Require-
ments and First
Suffix No. Basic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Requirement or
Suffix Letter
D471, Equal
D471, Dis- Parts by Volume
Suffix EA, Aqueous - tilled Water, Distilled Water- - - - - - - -
Fluid Resistance 70h Reagent Grade
Ethylene Glycol,
70h
Suffix F, Low-Tem- D2137, D2137,
perature Resis- - Method A, D1053, 5min, T2 Method A - - - - - -
tance 9.3.2, 3 min T5 T10 T50 or 9.3.2, 22h
T100
Suffix G, Tear Resis- - D624, die B D624, die C - - - - - - -

tance
Suffix H, Flex Resis- - D430, D430, D430, - - - - - -

tance Method A Method B Method C
Suffix J
Abrasion Resis- - - - - - - - - - -
tance
D429, D429, Bond made

Suffix K Adhesion - Method A Method B after - - - - - -
vulcanization
Suffix M, Flamma- - - - - - - - - - -
bility Resistance
Suffix N, - - - - - - - - - -
Impact Resistance
Suffix P, Staining D925, D925,

Resistance - Method A Method B - - - - - - -
Control Panel
Suffix R, Resilience - D945 - - - - - - - -
Suffix Z, Special - - - - - - - - - -
Requirement
31.
ESP Catalog 0338
• Lastly, the second suffix number indicates the test tem- MATERIALS
perature required.
Suffix Requirement Test
Suffix Letters A, B, C, EA/F/O, G, K, L Suffix Letters F
1 73° F / 23° C 1 73.4° F/23° C
2 100° F/38° C 2 32° F/0° C
3 158° F/70° C 3 14° F/-10° C
4 212° F/100° C 4 -0.4° F/-18° C
5 257° F/125° C 5 -13° F/-25° C
6 302° F/150° C 6 -31° F/-35° C
7 347° F/175° C 7 -40° F/-40° C
8 392° F/200° C 8 -58° F/-50° C
9 437° F/225° C 9 -67° F/-55° C
10 482° F/250° C 10 -85° F/-65° C
11 527° F/275° C 11 -103° F/-75° C
12 -112° F/-80° C
32.
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
Understanding how a radial shaft seal performs in
an application creates an invaluable awareness of the
entire sealing system. Knowing what physical principals
are at work, a design engineer is more likely to be thinking
SEAL DESIGN
about seal selection earlier in the design process.
The life cycle of mobile machinery can be limited

by the effectiveness of the radial shaft seal. When failure
occurs, the seals are believed to be at fault. But in fact,
the root cause of failure is usually unknown and lies buried
in the network of sealing parameters. Not understanding
these parameters can be detrimental to the life of a seal. If
the design engineer does not know how shaft preparation
affects the sealing mechanism, then lead, which is spiral
grooves on the shaft surface, is more likely to occur. By
understanding how different parameters affect the seal-
ing mechanism, the correct profile is more likely to be se-
lected and the system variables controlled.
ESP International understands the importance of

education and recognizes the need in our market for a
technical presence. The intentions of this handbook are to
provide a resource for engineers that organize the industry
standards for radial shaft seals. In the design process, en-
gineers may not have time to research all of the operation
details of each part.
Often seal selection is compromised and the

chance of failure increases. This handbook will reduce the
research time without losing education. Radial shaft seals
are designed and selected based on profile characteris-
tics.
33.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEAL THEORY
The challenge of sealing against a dynamic surface
has been around since the frontier era. The first known
shaft seals were leather straps used to retain animal fat on
the end of a wheel axle. This crude seal required routine
SEAL DESIGN
maintenance and was unreliable. The Industrial Revolution
spawned the development of engines, transmissions and
gearboxes, all of which required various seals to retain a
variety of lubricants. The seals of the industrial age were
organic ropes or packing. These seals were very effective
until shaft speeds, temperature and other parameters in-
creased with the development of better transportation sys-
tems.
In the late 1920’s, a self contained shaft seal was

created from oil resistant leather assembled into a metal
case. This was the first radial lip seal to be press fit into an
outside diameter bore. Radial shaft seals continued to de-
velop further and a synthetic, oil-resistant rubber replaced
the leather element, forever changing seal design.
HOW DO THEY WORK?

Radial shaft seals prevent leakage through the gen-
eration of a pumping action at the interface of the seal
lip and the shaft surface. The pumping direction has a di-
rect correlation to the direction of an asymmetrical con-
tact pressure profile. This pressure profile is controlled by the
geometric design of the lip seal which is designed to create
a larger pressure gradient on the oil side of the sealing lip.
The pressure gradient is one aspect that contributes to the
function of a radial shaft lip seal.
A second aspect that contributes to the pumping

mechanism of a seal lip is the presence of an oil film layer
between the seal lip surface and the shaft surface.

34.
The third aspect in the sealing mechanism that con-
tributes to the net pumping effect is the formation of asperi-
ties on the seal lip surface. The asperities become aligned
at an angle to the rotating shaft causing the oil film to pump
towards the oil side of the seal.
SEAL DESIGN The existence of the asymmetric pressure profile, flu-

id film and asperities all contribute to the pumping mecha-
nism of the seal. Seal failure occurs over a period of time
and can be attributed to many different effects.
Rotation
Undeformed Profile of
Microasperities
Tangential Shear Stress
Pumping
Counter Pumping
Net Pump Flow
Deformed Profile
Contact Pressure Profile.
The existence of the

asymmetric pressure
profile, fluid film and
asperities contribute to
the pumping mechanism
of the seal.
35.
ESP Catalog 0338
TBC29-098418500315-FCS
Pump Rate
1.8
1.6
1.4 g/min
1.2 1.6-1.8
1.4-1.6
1
1.2-1.4
SEAL DESIGN
0.8 1-1.2
0.8-1
0.6
0.6-0.8
0.4 0.4-0.6
0.2-0.4
0.2
0-0.2
0
0 hours
300 hours
600 hours
900 hours
10000
1200 hours
9000
8000
7000
6000
1500 hours
5000
4000
3000
1800 hours
2000
1000
RPM
Pump Rate Graph.
The graph displays how the

pump rate of a seal lip will
change over time.
In a lab environment, where the sealing lip is not af-

fected by the ingress of dirt and debris a seal will eventually
develop a leak after many hours of running. Leakage de-
velops as the pressure profile of the lip contact on the shaft
modifies and/or the asperities diminish.
Factors that modify lip pressure are wear and com-

pression set of the elastomer. As the seal wears the con-
tact width of the seal lip grows and the asymmetric pres-
sure profile is modified. As well, the elastomer of the seal will
develop compression set over time due to its exposure to
fluid at elevated temperatures. The effect of the modifica-
tion of the asymmetric pressure profile on the pump rate of
the lip is shown above. The Pump Rate Graph displays the
decrease in seal lip pump vs time vs RPM.
A second failure mode of the seal lip can occur as

shaft speed increases. The oil film between the seal lip and
shaft surface helps to protect and lubricate the rubber lip
on the rotating shaft. Even with the oil film present there
is frictional heat generated at the sealing lip. That heat
can become significant at high shaft speeds and there are
temperature limitations for various elastomers. Nitrile is the
most commonly chosen due to cost, but if shaft speed is
high, a fluorocarbon or Teflon material may be required.
36.
RADIAL SHAFT SEAL TERMINOLOGY
There are different designs of radial shaft seal, some
have more elements than other like for example a dust lip or
inner case. The image below shows the terminology of a TC
radial shaft seal.
SEAL DESIGN
1. Seal OD 8. Spring Axial Position

2. Garter Spring 9. Contact Point
3. Flex Section 10. Air Side Surface
4. Oil Side Angle 11. Case ID
5. Lip ID 12. Air Side Angle
6. Head Thickness 13. Dust Lip
7. Oil Side Surface 14. Shaft Diameter
37.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEAL DESIGN
1. Case Width 8. Inside Face Inner

2. Outer Case Diameter
3. Inside Face 9. Lip Length
4. Outside Face 10. Toe Face
5. Inner Case 11. Outer Case Inner
6. Axial Clearance Diameter
7. Heel Section 12. Lip Height
38.
PARAMETERS AFFECTING SEALING
The process of defining a specific sealing system is the
first step toward understanding the true application needs.
Certain parameters can affect the types of profiles that

SEAL DESIGN can be used. The design engineers ability to narrow down all
of the system variables and understanding their affects will dic-
tate the success of the profile selection.
There are four categories of system parameters that list

common application variables; the housing, outside, media
and shaft parameters.
HOUSING PARAMETERS
• Ferrous or Non-Ferrous • Replacement

• Surface finish • Draft angle
• Chamfer size available • Ease of removal
• Counterbore or • Spring back
straight • Cocking
MEDIA PARAMETERS OUTSIDE PARAMETERS
• Contamination type
• Viscosity
• Particle size
• Internal pressure
• Ozone
• Sump temperature
• Temperature
• Chemical properties
• Pressure
• Lubrication properties
• Clearance
• Fill level
• Corrosion
• Contaminants
• Assembly restrictions
SHAFT PARAMETERS
• Ferrous or Non-Ferrous • Speed (RPM or FPM)

• Surface finish • Offset
• Hardness • Dynamic run-out
• Finish type • Torque requirements
• Lead • Rotation direction
• Grooving • Downtime
• Diameter • Cycles / Day
• Chamfer size
39.
ESP Catalog 0338
TEMPERATURE
There are three different forms of temper-
ature: outside, sump and underlip. The cumula-
tive effect of these temperatures can increase
the hardening rate of the elastomeric lip mate-
rial. This causes the loss of flexibility in the contact SEAL DESIGN
area, and ultimately decreases the life of a seal.
Sump
Temperature Outside
Temperature The outside temperature can come from
any heat source other than the sump or underlip.
Long exposure to high outside temperatures can
have unexpected effects on the life of a seal.
When combining these temperatures with the
Underlip sump temperatures, an increase in the harden-
Temperature ing rate of the elastomer may occur. The other
end of the spectrum occurs when outside tem-
peratures reach the lower limit of the lip material
temperature range.
At low temperatures, the effect on the

sealing element may result in tearing if there is
dynamic run-out of the shaft due to a decrease
in flexibility and resilience. Unless the seal expe-
Temperatures riences catastrophic failure, leakage does not
affecting the seal. normally occur at these low temperatures be-
cause the viscosity of the sump media has in-
There are three
creased and due to friction the temperatures
different forms of
temperature: outside, quickly elevates.
sump and underlip.
The sump temperature is the most com-
mon measure of the three temperatures. There is
a direct correlation between seal life and sump
temperature. Even if the seal is operating at sump
temperature that is within the given elastomeric
temperature range, this does not mean that the
seal life is not being compromised. If long life cy-
cles are an important priority, then a low sump
temperature is desired. If long life-cycles are not
a priority, then a high sump temperature can
have a positive effect on the system. Fluid vis-
cosity, seal torque and power consumption all
decrease as sump temperature increases.
40.
The underlip temperature of the contact width is a func-
tion of shaft speed, material friction, surface roughness, sump
and outside temperature. As these parameters increase, the
effect is a higher underlip temperature. The material friction is
dependent on elastomer properties, radial lip load and lubri-
cation. If there is no fluid film available, the seal element would
SEAL DESIGN burn up because of extremely high underlip temperature.
The cumulative effect of all of these temperatures is

that the hardening rate of the lip material is increased and
seal longevity is lost.
PRESSURE
Standard radial shaft seals are not designed to operate
in a pressurized system. The flex section is too thin and has no
rigid support. Even a slight increase in pressure can force the
outside lip surface to pivot about the contact width, decreas-
ing the air side angle. This condition is called bell mouthing
and its effects are irregular wear and shortened seal life. The
maximum industry pressure for standard profiles is 7 – 10 psi
(0.48 – 0.69 bar). When dealing with pressures in this range it is
important to also consider shaft speed. The optimal pressure
for a standard radial shaft seal is near zero.
To choose a profile type the system pressure needs

to be classified. Most radial shaft seals are designed for the
standard pressure range. For applications in the medium/low
range, the profile availability is significantly reduced.
To accommodate for these pressures, the lip length

must be shortened and the flex section increased in thickness.
High classification pressures require an additional structural
member to assist the primary lip from deflecting and extrud-
ing. For applications with pressures higher than 150 psi contact
ESP International for recommendations.
PRESSURE CLASSIFICATION
Standard 0-10 psi (0-0.69 bar)
Low 10-50 psi (0.69-3.45 bar)
Medium 50-100 psi (3.45-6.9 bar)
High 100-150 psi (6.9-10.3 bar)
41.
ESP Catalog 0338
LUBRICATION
Lubricants are used to reduce wear of dynamic mechani-
cal components. Radial shaft seals keep these lubricants contained
within a cavity or sump. A radial shaft seal also rides on a film of fluid
when rotating. This lubricant film is the primary reason the lip does not
wear or burn up due to excessive friction. Even with lubricant present
SEAL DESIGN
at the sealing lip, frictional heat is created and the dissipation prop-
erties of the lubricant can impact the life of a radial shaft seal. Also,
the availability of lubricant can affect seal life, optimally the seal lip
will be immersed in oil, but some applications employ splash or mist
lubrication. These applications may have a negative effect on seal
life.
The seal lip and the lubricant must be chemically compatible

to prevent elastomer degradation. With high demands being placed
on the lubricants, additives are used to improve performance of lu-
brication.
Unfortunately, these additives may have a negative effect

and a compatibility problem is often seen when the elastomer hard-
ens at low operating temperatures or the lip is excessively soft from
normal use. A complete list of the additives in the lubricant is essential
for a thorough analysis.
The following table shows a list of common additives used in

lubricants:
CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OF THE ADDITIVES

Antifoamants Silicone Polymers
Corrosion Inhibitors Overbased Metallic Sulfonates Phenates, Fatty Amines
Detergents Amines, Phenates, Succinimides
(EP) Antiwear Additives Organic Phosphates, Chlorine, Sulfur Compounds
Friction Modifiers Amides, Phosphates, Phosphites, Acids
Metal Deactivators Metal Phenates, Nitrogen
Oxidation Inhibitors Aromatic Amines, Hindered Phenols
Pour Point Depressants LMW Methacrylate Polymers
Rust Inhibitors Ester, Amines, Sulfonates
42.
VISCOSITY
Viscosity is defined as the measured resistance to

flow. The molecular weight and composition determine the
viscosity.
SEAL DESIGN The Viscosity Index is a unitless measure of the

tendency of the lubrication to change viscosity due to
a change in temperature. A low VI suggests the lubrica-
tion will have a significant change in viscosity with a small
change in temperature.
Lubricants with high viscosities will create high levels

of friction and therefore decrease seal life. Lubricants with
low viscosities will reduce friction and power consumption.
However, lower viscosities require an increased pump rate
to maintain sealability.
The following formula is used to calculate the viscos-

ity index:
(L - U)
V = 100
(L - H)
Where:

V = viscosity index
U = kinematic viscosity at 40° C
L and H = values based on the kine-
matic viscosity at 100° C
The kinematic viscosity values are available in ASTM

D2270
43.
ESP Catalog 0338
SUMP FILL LEVEL

As the sump level decreases, the life
of the seal decreases. This can be explained
through thermal analysis of the seal contact
region of the shaft. Lubrication is a critical
part of the seal’s cooling system and should
be continually monitored. When sump levels
SEAL DESIGN
are not adequate to cool the seal, special lip
materials such as PTFE should be considered.
CORROSION
Corrosion of the dynamic surface can
cause damage or failure of the radial shaft
Sump fill level.
seal. Elastomers can create an electrochemi-
Lubrication is a critical cal reaction in the contact width region when
part of the seal’s heat and humidity are present. A seal that is
cooling system and idle for long periods is subject to this type of
should be continually corrosion when temperatures are above 85°
monitored. F (29° C).
The selection of corrosion resistive lu-

bricants can inhibit the corrosion but will not
eliminate it. If an electrochemical reaction is
a concern, contact ESP International.
CONTAMINATION
The effect of contamination ingesting
into a mechanical system can result in failure
of bearings, gears and other dynamic com-
ponents. Because of the pumping action un-
der the contact width, if contamination is al-
lowed to reach this point it will naturally ingest
into the system.
Contamination.
Selecting a radial shaft seal profile that
If contamination does not allow this to happen is necessary to
reaches the lip, the avoid mechanical failure.
pumping action will
ingest it into the system.
44.
To classify the severity of contamination begin with
identifying all potential particle types and sizes. Percentage
of cycle exposure should also be considered, defined as the
amount of time the seal is exposed to contamination dur-
ing application. Another variable to consider is the maximum
percentage that the seal is submerged.
SEAL DESIGN
Most radial shaft seals are designed to operate under
a level 1 or 2 contamination environment. This includes radial
shaft seal profiles having a secondary dust lip. This lip provides
only minor protection and is often misused in applications.

The effect of this additional lip is an increase in under-
lip temperature and a loss of seal life. When using this profile,
it is important to lubricate between the two lips during instal-
lation to minimize this effect.

The effect of high percentages of exposure and sub-
mergence results in the reduction of available profiles. Sever-
ity levels of 4 and 5 requires special consideration of lip types,
number and orientation. Contact ESP International for design
suggestions.

Other important parameters to investigate when deal-
ing with contamination are shaft speed, shaft hardness, duty
cycles and down time. The Severity of Contamination can be
ranked as fallowing:
Percent Max
Contamination Particle
Description Particle Type Cycle Percent
Level Size
Exposure Submerged
Impactment, Powdery,
5 Extreme slurry, water, dust, fine and 75-100 100
abrasive particles large
Powdery,
4 Heavy Dirt, mud, water fine and 50-75 75
large
Small/
3 Moderate Dirt, splashing 25-50 25
Moderate
Small/
2 Light Air travel, dust 0-25 0
Moderate
1 None None None 0 0
45.
ESP Catalog 0338
CASE DESIGN
COUNTER OR STRAIGHT BORE
The bore type affects the positioning of the primary
sealing lip and the O.D. sealability. A counter bore should
be designed to control the position of the primary sealing lip.
If the case has a nose gasket incorporated into the design, SEAL DESIGN
this gasket will provide additional O.D. sealing by forming a
face seal. If the bore is straight, then a stopping mechanism
needs to be included on the installation tool or a flanged
case needs to be used.
Flange
Case
Counter or Straight
Bore.
Should be designed to
control the position of
the primary sealing lip.
46.
HOUSING ASSEMBLY
Radial shaft seals are pressed into a bore to form a
static seal. The static seal can be created by a metal-metal,
rubber-metal, or a combination interference.
The press fitting action positions the seal both axially

and radially. The head and heel section are properly aligned
SEAL DESIGN if the outside face of the case is perpendicular to the shaft
axis. The effect of poor installation is seal cocking or damage
to the outside diameter.
Cocking is caused by improper installation methods. If

there are such assembly space restrictions as a blind installa-
tion or no room to use the proper installation tool, alternative
seal designs should be considered.
Failure to design a proper bore chamfer is the primary

cause for damaging the seal O.D. A proper use of an instal-
lation chamfer allows for a positive pilot gap, positioning the
seal against the chamfer prior to installation.
When a proper tool is used, installation forces, cocking

and spring back are all minimized. The result is longer seal life
and less chance of leakage. If a sufficient chamfer is not pos-
sible, a customized seal O.D. should be designed. Contact
ESP International for design suggestions.
Housing Assembly.
The proper use of an

installation chamfer
allows for a positive
pilot gap.
47.
ESP Catalog 0338
REPLACEMENT AND EASE OF REMOVAL

If the radial shaft seal is in a system that is serviced of-
ten, then the type of static OD needs to be considered. Met-
al press-fit OD requires low installation forces but are difficult
to remove. There are also small particles of the bore removed
when a metal press-fit is uninstalled.
SEAL DESIGN
If an application requires a dozen replacements over
the life of the system, a metal press-fit would not be a proper
choice. If ease of removal is important and the service may
take place outside of a service shop then a pry flange may
need to be incorporated into the design. These parameters
should be considered and addressed early in the design pro-
cess to save money and time for the aftermarket.
Ease of Removal.
If an application
required several
replacements over
the life of the system,
ease of removal is
important.
Pry
Flange
48.
SHAFT DIAMETER
Increasing shaft diameter results in higher frictional
torque and required power. These increases will affect the
underlip temperature and would require the revolutions per
minute (RPM) to be lowered.
SEAL DESIGN Because of associated costs and sealability it is pre-
ferred to minimize the shaft diameter of a radial shaft seal.
SHAFT HARDNESS
The shaft hardness is important for the contact width
of the seal or for any part of the shaft that might contact the
sealing lip. If the hardness is so soft that the shaft is suscep-
tible to denting or nicking, then there could be seal damage
caused during installation. A Rockwell hardness of 45 HRc or
higher is recommended if the shaft is subject to being nicked
by handling or assembly.
Such materials as bronze, brass and aluminum should

not be used without a hardened steel wear sleeve because
of excessive wear and grooving.
SHAFT SPEED
As shaft speed increases, the adverse effects of pres-
sure, temperature, contamination, lead and wear all in-
crease.
Sealing against extreme or heavy contamination is

difficult for speeds above 500 ft/min. For these speeds, the
frictional drag needs to be reduced to accommodate the
high underlip temperature making it difficult to keep out con-
tamination.
Shaft.
Increasing shaft
diameter results
in higher frictional
torque and required
power.
49.
ESP Catalog 0338
As shaft speeds reach 3000 ft/min the pumping action

across the primary lip will begin to degradate, especially if
there is a slight lead angle. A hydrodynamic aid may need
to be added to the air-side angle to counteract the loss in
pumping action and increase the inward pumping rate. This
will also help keep the film of lubrication under the contact
width, decreasing the underlip temperature and increasing
the life of the seal. SEAL DESIGN
Speed (ft/min) Classification

0-500 1
500-750 2
750-1750 3
1750-4000 4
4000 and up 5
SHAFT ASSEMBLY

Incorrect installation direction or the absence of a
shaft chamfer can cause damage to the seal lip of cause it
to roll during installation.

Shaft installation direction should be considered for
triple lip profile types to insure proper lip orientation for dirt
exclusion.
If the shaft chamfer is less than design specifications

the chances of rolling the sealing lip increases. If the assem-
bly area is restricted or there is a blind installation, an alter-
nate seal profile may need to be selected.
FINISH TYPE AND LEAD

The finishing process on the shaft will affect the seal-
ability of the system. The microscopic effects of how the fluid
media reacts at the contact width determines the hardening
rate of the elastomer materials.
The lead angle present on the shaft affects how the

fluid transfers itself along the surface of the shaft. Lead acts
as a screw during rotation. If the lead angle is along the di-
rection of rotation and the angle is larger than 0.05°, leakage
may occur.
50.
Using the steps listed below, a simple process for de-
termining the lead direction and angle can be followed.
PROCEDURE TO DETECT SHAFT LEAD

SEAL DESIGN STEP DESCRIPTION
1 Mount shaft in holding chuck
2 Eliminate any wobbling or run-out, level shaft
3 Loop a thin thread over the shaft
Attach a 1 oz (30 g) weight to thread with 2/3
4
contact
5 Set shaft rotation to 60 RPM
6 Observe thread movement in axial direction
7 Record results in both directions of rotation
After gathering data on the rate of axial movement

of the thread, the lead angle can be calculated using the
formula below:
Axial Movement of String

Lead Angle = ArcTan
(Shaft Circumference)(No. of Revolutions)
The lead angle of the shaft should be 0° ±0.05. Exam-

ple: If a string advances 0.4” in 1 minute on a 3.0” shaft rotat-
ing at 80 RPM.
0.4
Lead Angle = ArcTan
(3 π )(80)
For more detail information about finish type and lead,

check Section 10 of SAE Fluid Sealing Handbook Radial Lip
Seals (SAE J946).
51.
ESP Catalog 0338
INTERPRETATION OF THREAD MOVEMENT
RIGHT HAND LEAD OR CW
CW Rotation: Moves from chucked end to free end

SEAL DESIGN
CCW Rotation: Moves from free end to chucked end
LEFT HAND LEAD OR CCW

CW Rotation: Moves from free end to chucked end
CCW Rotation: Moves from chucked end to free end
52.
NO LEAD
CW Rotation: Stationary
SEAL DESIGN

CCW Rotation: Stationary
TAPERED SHAFT
CW Rotation: Moves in same direction no matter shaft
rotation. Remounting the shaft reverses direction
CCW Rotation: Moves in same direction no matter

shaft rotation. Remounting the shaft reverses direction.
53.
ESP Catalog 0338
CUPPED SHAFT
CW Rotation: Moves toward center
SEAL DESIGN

CCW Rotation: Moves toward center
CROWNED SHAFT
CW Rotation: Moves away from center
CCW Rotation: Moves away from center
54.
FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS

The choice of housing and shaft materials will affect
the type of materials that can be used for the seal OD and
lips.

The most common restriction when considering a
SEAL DESIGN
housing material is the instance when two materials have a
different coefficient of thermal expansion. This effect needs
to be considered with larger diameter seals.
If a carbon steel case is pressed into an aluminum

bore, a ten-inch diameter seal is more likely to experience
OD leakage than a one-inch seal. When non-ferrous ma-
terials are used, other parameters should also be analyzed:
hardness, surface finish and galvanic corrosion.

If a non-ferrous shaft must be used, contact ESP Inter-
national for consultation.
Material Type Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Steel Ferrous 7 μ in/in-°F (12.6 μ m/m-°C)
Aluminum Non-Ferrous 12.7 μ in/in-°F (22.9 μ m/m-°C)
Nitrile Non-Ferrous 62 μ in/in-°F (111.6 μ m/m-°C)
SURFACE FINISH OR TEXTURE

The elastomeric lips of radial shaft seals have enough
elasticity to insure that the lip will follow the normal form and
waviness errors of a shaft to maintain a seal. However, the life
of the seal is affected by the microscopic imperfections of
the surface finish.
Surface finish, or texture, consists of peaks and valleys

that make up a surface and their direction on the surface.
During analysis, surface finish can be broken down into three
components: roughness, waviness and form.
55.
ESP Catalog 0338
ROUGHNESS
Is a direct relation to tool marks. Every pass of a cutting
tool leaves a groove of some width and depth. Roughness is
also what can form a lead angle.
WAVINESS SEAL DESIGN
Is the result of small fluctuations in the distance between

the cutting tool and the work piece during machining. This is
caused by cutting tool instability and vibration.
FORM ERROR
Is caused by lack of straightness or flatness in the ma-
chine tools. Form error is highly repeatable error, because the
machine will follow the same path each time.
All these surface finish components exist simultaneous-

ly and are superimposed over one another. In some cases,
these are determined separately but normally the total profile
surface finish incorporates all three.
Waviness
Spacing
Waviness
Surface finish.
Height
Consists of peaks and
valleys that make
up a surface and
their direction on the
surface.
Peaks Valleys
Roughness Mean
Average Ra Line
Roughness
Spacing
56.
SURFACE PREPARATION
PLUNGE GRINDING

The grinding wheel is normal to the shaft
SEAL DESIGN
axis at contact and does not traverse back and
forth. The result is short to medium grinding marks
that have little to no lead. This process can be
relatively expensive but only needs to be per-
formed in the seal contact region. Grade A.
PAPER POLISHING
This method is very effective if constant
pressure is applied over the width of the emery
cloth. Automatic equipment is more consistent
than polishing by hand. Grade B.
METAL PEENING
Small metal particles are impelled on the
surface, imposing compressive stresses in the skin
of the shaft. This is a secondary process that elimi-
nates the potential of lead. Grade B.
GRIT BLASTING

Media such as sand is impelled onto the
shaft as a secondary process. If correctly applied,
machine lead can be eliminated. Grade B.
57.
ESP Catalog 0338
TUMBLING
Method produces a uniform aggregate
appearance and removes minor surface ir-
regularities. Grade C.
SEAL DESIGN
TRANSVERSE GRINDING
A centerless grinder is used as either the
shaft or the wheel moves axially through the
grind zone. This method can produce spi-
ral grooves and can result in seal leakage.
Grade D.
HONING
The resulting finish is a criss-crossing pat-
tern that produces a pumping condition like-
ly to cause a leakage. Grade F.
DIAMOND BURNISHING
In this process the media moves axially
and does not remove machine lead, but in-
stead makes it worse. Grade F.
MACHINE TURNING
Machine turning will almost always gen-
erate lead and should be followed with a
subsequent secondary operation. Grade F.
58.
ROUGHNESS MEASUREMENT
Average roughness or Ra, is the parameter most
widely specified and measured. The algorithm for Ra calcu-
lates the average height of the entire surface from a mean
line. This is an effective way to monitor process stability, and
SEAL DESIGN it is used to control surface finish for radial shaft seals.
An important consideration when looking at Ra is

that different surfaces may have the same Ra value with
more wave heights and spacing. There are more than a
dozen roughness parameters specified by ASME Standard
B46.1. Many of these can be used to further control the sur-
face finish. Contact ESP International for further discussion.
Ra = 16
Surface finish.
Finishes with the

same Ra but
different surface
profiles
Ra = 16
Ra = 16
59.
ESP Catalog 0338
CYCLE TIME / DOWN TIME

Cycle time and down time are parameters that
when combined with other variables such as underlip tem-
perature, shaft speed and contamination can either in-
crease or decrease their effect on sealing.
SEAL DESIGN
The identification of the length of the cycle time will
classify the severity of its affect on other parameters. An
example of this is an application that runs continuously, it is
expected to have a high negative effect on the underlip
temperature. An alternate material or lip design may be
chosen as a result.
Downtime is generally considered in combination

with cycle time. The reason for this can be illustrated in
an example where the cycle time is a level 1, but so is the
down time.
The resultant effect is equivalent to a continuous cy-

cle time even though the true cycle time is only 30 minutes
or less.
Classification Down Time Classification Cycle Time

1 1 hr/Day 1 30 min or less
2 2-4 hr/Day 2 1 hr
3 5-12 hr/Day 3 2-4 hr/Day
4 Days 4 5-12 hr/Day
5 Weeks 5 12-16 hr/Day
6 Seasonal 6 Continuous
60.
SELECTING A RADIAL SHAFT SEAL
Deciding on the type of radial shaft seal is a challeng-

ing process that requires selecting specific seal design char-
acteristics to match the system parameters. The design engi-
neer should organize the potential parameters and prioritize
them in order of severity and importance.
SEAL DESIGN
Selecting a radial shaft seal profile requires deciding
the following: lip type, case type and the use of a hydrody-
namic aid. There are many different radial shaft seal profiles
available in the industry and a hydrodynamic aid can be
added to the primary lip of most spring loaded lip styles. All
three of these design variables need to be considered sepa-
rately and then combined to form a radial shaft seal profile.
First consider the application basics. This will help to

narrow the lip selection immediately. The application study
below provides an example of a common separation that
usually requires different lip styles. Developing your own ap-
plication studies that are specific to your industry is a valu-
able selection tool.
APPLICATION STUDY:
Grease vs. Oil Retention
Grease Retention
The viscosity of grease is much higher than

oil and is much easier to retain. Therefore,
a non-spring loaded lip is both sufficient
and cost effective for this application.
If contamination is the primary control
parameter, then the seal should be installed
in the opposite direction shown above.
61.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEAL DESIGN
Oil Retention
The retention of oil is a more challenging task

than grease because of the low viscosity of
oil. A spring is required to help maintain the
proper radial load for sealing. The spring is
installed facing the fluid and hydrodynamic
aids are sometimes molded to the air side
angle to assist in the sealing action.
LIP SELECTION
Lip style is directly related to the media type, shaft
speed, pressure, temperature and contamination parame-
ters. The media used in the application can go from oil and
grease, to other types like water, food and dairy products. All
of these will affect the choice of available styles.

The effectiveness of your radial shaft seal depends on
the lip type selection. This is the most important design vari-
able and will determine both the life expectancy and cost.
The following table shows the most common lip styles,

their names, applications and descriptions. There are many
other available lip styles when trying to accommodate spe-
cial parameters or extreme environments.
62.
APPLICATION LIP TYPE DESCRIPTION
This style of lip is used for stan-
Standard dard pressure oil sealing in clean
Oil retention
“S” Lip environments. May be reversed
for extreme grease sealing.
Oil retention for This style of lip has a shortened

Standard
medium pressure flex section to accommodate
“SN” Lip
applications medium pressure.
SEAL DESIGN
Oil retention for Standard
dard pressure oil sealing in
dusty applications “T” Lip
dusty/dirty environments.
Oil retention for This style of lip has a shortened

Standard
medium pressure flex section to accommodate
“TN” Lip
applications medium pressure

Standard dard pressure grease sealing in
Grease retention
“V” Lip clean environments. May be re-
versed to purge grease cavity.
Grease retention This style of lip is used for stan-

Standard
for dusty dard pressure grease sealing in
“K” Lip
applications dusty/dirty environments.

Oil retention for dard pressure sealing of none
Standard
applications with lubricating fluids. Inverted dust
“X” Lip
low lubrication lip retains grease near sealing
lip.
Separating two Standard
dard pressure separation of two
fluids “D” Lip
fluids
Grease retention in dard pressure grease sealing in
heavy Standard extreme/heavy contamination
contamination ”U” Lip environments. Flexible lips al-
environment low for purging of grease cavity
from either direction.
Grease retention in dard pressure grease sealing in
heavy Standard extreme/heavy contamination
contamination “ T9” Lip environments. Lip on outside
environment face is designed to act as an
axial face seal.
This style of lip used for scrap-
Contamination Standard ing and wiping in hydraulic and
exclusion “WP” Lip pneumatic cylinder applica-
tions.
63.
ESP Catalog 0338
CASE SELECTION
The most common and cost effective case materials
are stamped from cold rolled carbon steel. The steel is then
phosphate coated to aid in the molding process and to help
eliminate corrosion during storage. Other case materials in-
clude stainless steel, brass and aluminum. These materials are
SEAL DESIGN
considered special because of their additional cost, and are
not typically used. The other option for case materials is fully
coated or partially coated rubber. Carbon steel cans are
usually selected for rubber molded options.
The case geometry controls the positioning and rigid-

ity of the seal lips. Often overlooked, the case type can af-
fect the life of the sealing system. The case forms a static
OD radial seal and is susceptible to leakage if not properly
designed. The table on the next page shows common case
geometries and their advantages.
Case Selection.
Different case
styles for radial
shaft seals.
64.
APPLICATION LIP TYPE DESCRIPTION
This style of case is the
most common and eco-
Spring back is not
Standard “L” nomical design. A cham-
acceptable
Case fer or curl is used to aid in
SEAL DESIGN Ease of installation
installation.
This style of case is used for

soft alloy or plastic hous-
Soft alloy housing
Rubber ing. Used for frequent re-
Frequent removal
Covered moval and installation
High surface
Case when damage to hous-
roughness
ing bore is a concern.
This style of case is an

economical design used
High surface
when surface roughness
roughness
Nose Gasket is outside specified limits.
Counter bore
Case Also for use when corro-
Corrosion by
sion by sealing fluid could
sealing fluid
be a problem.
This style of case is an

economical design used
when frequent removal
Ease of removal Shotgun
is necessary. Also aids in
Field install Case
installation when a field
install may be needed.
This style is used when

damage may occur to
Blind installation of the sealing lip when shaft
Secondary or
shaft is installed. Also adds
Inner Case
Structural rigidity structural rigidity to radial
shaft seal.
This style combines the

Reduce spring ease of installation of
back Heel Case metal OD seal with OD
Ease of installation sealability of rubber cov-
ered case.
65.
ESP Catalog 0338
LIP MATERIAL SELECTION

Selecting an elastomeric material is important to
the life of a radial shaft seal. The elastomer’s resistance to
temperature, abrasion, chemicals, weather, sunlight and
ozone can affect a profile’s success in an application. The
base polymer must be selected to ensure that these pa- SEAL DESIGN
rameters are satisfied without creating excessive cost.
There are a variety of compounds available de-

pending on the system parameters. For parameters or
chemicals that are not listed, contact ESP International for
more information.
Ethylene PTFE
Properties Nitrile Fluorocarbon Silicon Polyacrylate HNBR
Propylene (Teflon)
Temp. °F (-40) - 250 (-50) - 300 (-30) - 400 (-80) - 350 (-30) - 300 (-10) - 300 (-100) - 500
Temp. °C (-40) - 120 (-45) - 150 (-34) - 200 (-60) - 175 (-34) - 150 (-23) - 150 (-75) - 250
Abrasive Good to Good to Poor to Good to Poor to

Good Fair to Good
Resistance Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good
Solvent Resistance
Aliphatic Good to Good to

Poor Excellent Poor to Fair Excellent Outstanding
Hydrocarbons Excellent Excellent
Aromatic Fair to Poor to Poor to

Poor Excellent Poor Outstanding
Hydrocarbons Good Good Fair
Good to
Ketones Poor
Excellent
Poor Poor Poor Poor Outstanding
Lacquer
Fair Poor Poor Poor Poor Fair Outstanding
Solvents
Resistance
Poor to Good to
Weather Fair
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Good to Good to Fair to

Sunlight Poor Outstanding
Outstanding
Excellent
Excellent Good
Outstanding
Poor to Good to Excellent to Good to Good to

Ozone Fair Excellent
Outstanding
Outstanding Excellent Excellent
Outstanding
66.
HYDRODYNAMIC SEALING AIDS
The hydrodynamic effect and the dynamic sealing
mechanism discussed earlier in this chapter provide an ex-
planation of how a radial shaft seal works in application. The
pumping action provides continuous lubrication for the con-
tact width of the elastomer lip.
SEAL DESIGN
When certain parameters are pushed to extremes –
such as shaft speed, lead and viscosity – the pumping mech-
anism needs some support.
Hydrodynamics Sealing
Aids.
The hydrodynamic
effect and the dynamic
sealing mechanism
illustration.
Footprint
of Contact
Rib
Footprint
of “R”
Style Rib Hydrodynamic
Oil
Pressure Relieves
Lip Load
Return
Flow
Shear Flow
67.
ESP Catalog 0338
Hydrodynamic sealing aids assist in the dynamic seal-

ing mechanism, and increase the pumping rate back to
sump. Oil that escapes past the contact width is forced back
by the rotating shaft into the converging space between the
rib and the lip.
The benefit of using hydrodynamic aids is the increase

of underlip pressure, decrease in friction, lower running tem- SEAL DESIGN
perature and ultimately can provide longer life. In cases
where there is potential for small scratches and nicks on the
shaft in the contact region, aids are used to overcome the
potential for dynamic leakage.
Hydrodynamic aids are available in different patterns

and as both unidirectional and bidirectional. Unidirectional
aids are for both clockwise or counter clockwise shaft ro-
tation. Be aware using a clockwise unidirectional aid in a
counterclockwise application will result in a large fluid leak.
As the hydro-aids will act in reverse, pumping oil out of the
sump.
Hydrodynamics
Sealing Aids.
Unidirectional
Pump Rate
6 cycles sinusoidal
The chart shows
2 cycles sinusoidal
the different pump
Triangle
rates that various
hydrodynamic
Conventional
sealing aids have.
0 1 2 3
Shaft Speed (RPM x 1000)
Unidirectional
Pump Rate
6 cycles sinusoidal
2 cycles sinusoidal
Triangle
Conventional
0 1 2 3
Shaft Speed (RPM x 1000)
68.
The actual hydro aid has very specific geometry re-
quirements. The most common issues are shown below and
can be detected by installation on an acrylic shaft.
UNIDIRECTIONAL HELIX RIBS

SEAL DESIGN No contact with primary lip
Helix ribs too high
Helix ribs too shallow
Good helix ribs and contact pattern
BI-ROTATIONAL PADS
No contact with primary lip
Pads too high
Pads too shallow
Good pads and contact pattern
Acrylic Shaft
Hydrodynamics
Seal Aids Hydrodynamics
Sealing Aids.
View of the
hydrodynamic aids
through an acrylic
shaft.
69.
ESP Catalog 0338
THE SPRING
When the fluid being sealed has high viscosity, the seal
does not need a garter spring because the fluid will not flow
easily. But when the fluid has low viscosity, like oil for example,
the seal needs to have a garter spring to keep the lip pressed
onto the shaft. Also, after the lip material has swelled and
softened the spring increases the ability of the lip to follow the SEAL DESIGN
shaft dynamics.
Spring location is critical in a seal design, the spring

must be set back from the lip towards the air side. Failing to
do this will produce an inadequate pressure profile at the lip
point and will result in a seal that leaks.
Spring Offset.
The spring must be

set back from the
lip towards the air
side.
Spring
Offset
CUSTOM PROFILE DESIGN

The process of choosing a radial shaft seal to match all
of the system parameters is often challenging, and in some
cases not possible with standard profile designs. Each appli-
cation should be reviewed in detail and the appropriate seal
selected for the application. At times a standard cross section
will suit a particular application, but in difficult/non-standard
applications a custom seal can be designed with little effort.
The future of radial shaft seals is centered around the

relationship of the customer and manufacturer. ESP Interna-
tional is dedicated to provide technical solutions at a com-
petitive price. Proposing a custom design solution is not as
valuable if the tooling cost is too high to consider prototyping.
Our engineering department recognizes this and is confident
that we can offer designed solutions at a competitive price.
70.
SHAFT SPECIFICATIONS
SHAFT MATERIAL:
Most shafts are made from a carbon steel or cast iron,

SEAL DESIGN typically a material that can produce a surface hardness
above 30 HRc is recommended.
Chrome or nickel plating can provide a hard surface

and prevent corrosion in harsh environments. Brass, bronze,
aluminum, zinc, magnesium and other soft metals should not
be used due to the excessive shaft wear and grooving. Wear
sleeves of mild steel should be pressed over the shaft if these
materials are used.
SHAFT HARDNESS: Rockwell C30

The seal contact area of the shaft should be hardened
to a minimum of 30 HRc under normal conditions. There is no
conclusive evidence that a hardness above HRc will improve
wear resistance except under extreme abrasive conditions.
A Rockwell hardness of 45 HRc or higher is recommended if
the shaft is subject to being nicked by handling prior to as-
sembly.
SHAFT SURFACE FINISH: 10-20 Micro Inches

Seal leakage in some applications could be directly
linked to such shaft imperfections as machining lead. There-
fore, machine lead is held to a tight tolerance of 0°±0.05°.
Seal counter surfaces should be plunge ground to 10-20 mi-
cro-inches Ra roughness (0.25-0.50 micro-meters) in order to
create satisfactory sealing performance.
Machining Lead: <0°±0.05°
Grinding Chatter: No grinding chatter allowed > 45 cycles

Out of roundness must be less than
Roundness: 0.0002” (0.00508 mm) and a minimum
number of lobes
Lobing: Maximum of 7 lobes at 0.0001”
71.
ESP Catalog 0338
SHAFT TOLERANCE
Shaft tolerances are normally held tight because they
are often used in conjunction with bearings or bushings. In
general applications, be sure the shaft diameter is within the
following recommended tolerances. The tolerance range
should be decreased for high speed or high pressure appli- SEAL DESIGN
cations.
Shaft Diameter
Tolerance
(millimeters)
Over 6 to 10 +0.000/-0.090
Over 10 to 18 +0.000/-0.110 Shaft Diameter (inches) Tolerance
Over 18 to 30 +0.000/-0.130 Up to and including 4.000 ±0.003
Over 30 to 50 +0.000/-0.160 4.001 to 6.000 ±0.004
Over 50 to 80 +0.000/-0.190 6.001 to 10.000 ±0.005
Over 80 to 120 +0.000/-0.220 10.001 and larger ±0.006
Over 120 to 180 +0.000/-0.250

Over 180 to 250 +0.000/-0.290
Over 250 to 315 +0.000/-0.320
Over 350 to 400 +0.000/-0.360
Over 400 to 500 +0.000/-0.400
Shaft Specifications.
When designing the

shaft, the material,
hardness, surface finish
and tolerance need to
be considered.
72.
SHAFT CHAMFER OR LEAD IN RADIUS
A shaft should always have a burr free lead-in cham-
fer or radius to prevent damage to radial shaft seal during
installation. The chamfer or radius allows the seal to change
from its free diameter to the installed diameter without the
sealing lip rolling or tearing. If a shaft does not have the rec-
SEAL DESIGN ommended lead-in chamfer or radius, an assembly cone
should be used during installation.
SCL
15/30°
E=Chamfer
Depth
Shaft Chamfer.
ØSD
Should always have
a burr free lead-in
chamfer or radius
to prevent damage
to the seal during
installation.
These corners must be

burr free and blended
73.
ESP Catalog 0338
Shaft Dia. ØSD Preferred Optional

E R
(inches) SCL@15° SCL@30°
Up to 4.000 0.093 0.188 0.347 0.156
4.001 to 7.000 0.125 0.250 0.466 0.218

SEAL DESIGN
7.001 to 40.000 0.188 0.375 0.702 0.323
40.001 and up 0.250 0.500 0.933 0.433
Shaft Dia. ØSD Preferred Optional

E R
(millimeters) SCL@15° SCL@30°
Up to 100.0 2.5 4.5 8.5 4.0
100.1 to 180.0 3.0 6.0 11.5 5.0
180.1 to 1000.0 5.0 9.5 18.0 8.0
1000.1 and larger 6.5 12.7 24.0 11.0
74.
SHAFT ECCENTRICITY
To ensure a high performing radial shaft seal, Shaft-
To-Bore-Misalignment (STBM) and Dynamic Run-Out (DRO)
should be kept to a minimum.
STBM is the amount by which the shaft is off center

SEAL DESIGN with respect to the bore’s center. STBM is caused by machin-
ing and assembly inaccuracies. To measure, attach a dial
indicator to the shaft (between shaft and bore), rotate the
shaft and read the indicator. STBM is HALF the Total Indicator
Reading (TIR).
Shaft To Bore
Bore Misalignment
Centerline
Shaft
Centerline
Shaft-To-Bore-
Misalignment.
Is the amount by which

the shaft is off center
with respect to the
bore’s center.
75.
ESP Catalog 0338
DRO is the amount by which the shaft does not ro-

tate around the true center. Misalignment, shaft bending,
lack of shaft balance and other manufacturing inaccuracies
are common causes. To measure, slowly rotate the shaft and
read the TIR of a dial indicator as shown below.
SEAL DESIGN
Total Indicator
Reading (TIR)
Dynamic-Run-Out.
Is the amount by
which the shaft
does not rotate
around the true
center.
76.
BORE SPECIFICATIONS
BORE MATERIAL
Ferrous metal such as steel and cast iron are accept-
able, but aluminum and plastic housings may also be used.
SEAL DESIGN If an aluminum or plastic housing is used, then a rubber OD
radial lip seal is recommended due to the differences in ther-
mal expansion between the seal and the housing, because
rubber has a higher thermal expansion than carbon steel,
rubber will tighten in the bore as the temperature rises.
BORE SURFACE FINISH: 100 micro-inches

Excessively rough bore finishes may allow paths for flu-
id to leak between the radial lip seal OD and bore. For metal
OD radial lip seals, a maximum bore finish of approximately
100 micro-inches (2.5 micro-meters) should be maintained to
avoid leakage.
For rubber OD radial lip seals, a maximum bore finish

of approximately 150 micro-inches (3.7 micro-meters) should
be maintained to avoid leakage. Rubber will conform to the
housing roughness and allows the rubber OD radial lip seal to
function with a rougher finish.
BORE HARDNESS
No specific hardness is recommended here. Howev-
er, bore hardness should be high enough to maintain interfer-
ence with the seal’s outside diameter after it is installed. If the
bore is too soft and a seal is installed, the material in the bore
will likely be abraded away, allowing the seal to be installed,
but resulting in a reduced interference fit with the bore due
to the abraded material.
77.
ESP Catalog 0338
BORE CHAMFER AND DEPTH

The bore should always have a burr free lead in cham-
fer to allow for problem free installation of the radial shaft
seal. The inside corner should have a maximum radius of
0.03” (0.8mm).
SEAL DESIGN
Seal Width +0.016”

(0.40 mm) minimum
0.031 Max
(0.079 mm) 15/30°
Bore Chamfer.
Should always have

a burr free lead-in
chamfer to allow
for problem free
installation of the seal.
0.060/0.090
(1.52/2.29 mm)
This corner must

be burr free
78.
BORE TOLERANCE
The interference between the radial shaft seal and
bore is controlled by the bore and seal OD tolerance. A seal’s
press-fit is designed according to the following standard.
SEAL DESIGN Bore Diameter (inches) Tolerance
Up to and including 2.000 ±0.001
2.001 to 3.000 ±0.001
3.001 to 5.000 ±0.0015
5.001 to 7.000 ±0.0015
7.001 to 12.000 ±0.002
12.001 to 20.000 +0.002/-0.004
Bore Diameter
Tolerance
(millimeters)
Over 6 to 10 +0.022/-0.000
Over 10 to 18 +0.027/-0.000
Over 18 to 30 +0.033/-0.000
Over 30 to 50 +0.039/-0.000
Over 50 to 80 +0.046/-0.000
Over 80 to 120 +0.054/-0.000
Over 120 to 180 +0.063/-0.000
Over 180 to 250 +0.072/-0.000
Over 250 to 315 +0.081/-0.000
Over 315 to 400 +0.089/-0.000
Over 400 to 500 +0.097/-0.000
79.
ESP Catalog 0338
RADIAL SHAFT SEAL INSPECTION TOLERANCES
Radial Shaft Seal Width Tolerance

Units Width Range Tolerance
Inches All +0.015/-0.015
Millimeters Up to 10 +0.20/-0.20 SEAL DESIGN
Millimeters Over 10 +0.30/-0.30
Radial Shaft Seal Press Fit Allowance (millimeter)

Bore Dia. Rubber Permissible
Metal Case
(millimeters) Covered Case Eccentricity
Up to 50.0 +0.20/+0.10 +0.30/+0.15 0.25
50.1 to 80.0 +0.23/+0.13 +0.35/+0.20 0.35
80.1 to 120.0 +0.25/+0.15 +0.35/+0.20 0.50
120.1 to 180.0 +0.28/+0.18 +0.45/+0.25 0.65
180.1 to 300.0 +0.30/+0.20 +0.45/+0.25 0.80
300.1 to 500.0 +0.35/+0.23 +0.55/+0.30 1.00
Radial Shaft Seal Press Fit Allowance (inch)

Press-fit Allowance Tolerance
Bore Dia. Rubber Rubber
Metal Case Metal Case
(inches) Covered Case Covered Case
Up to 1.000 +0.004 +0.006 +0.002/-0.002 +0.003/-0.003
1.001 to 2.000 +0.004 +0.007 +0.002/-0.002 +0.003/-0.003
2.001 to 3.000 +0.004 +0.008 +0.002/-0.002 +0.003/-0.003
3.001 to 4.000 +0.005 +0.010 +0.002/-0.002 +0.004/-0.004
4.001 to 6.000 +0.005 +0.010 +0.003/-0.002 +0.004/-0.004
6.001 to 8.000 +0.006 +0.010 +0.003/-0.002 +0.004/-0.004
8.001 to 10.000 +0.008 +0.010 +0.004/-0.002 +0.004/-0.004
10.001 to 20.000 +0.008 +0.010 +0.006/-0.002 +0.004/-0.004
80.
PROFILES
ESP International has created an orga-
nized Profile Selection Matrix that is customer
friendly and easy to understand. Although it
helps to be rehearsed in how system sealing
parameters can affect lip and OD styles it is
not required. To fully utilize this section a brief
explanation is needed to provide instruction
and explanation of its intended use.
PROFILES The Profile Matrix is designed in rows

and columns based on lip and case type
designations. When moving from left to right
the lip type remains constant as the case
options change. In a similar manner, moving
up and down reveals different lip options.
The “type” designation and description are
at the beginning of each column and row.
These descriptions are intended to provide
general usage information to aid in the se-
lection process. For applications with limited
profile choices the matrix has been reduced
to single row format. If a profile option does
not appear in the matrix please contact ESP
International.
Various Operation Tables are placed Profiles.

after the Profile Matrix to help further deter-
mine the appropriate profile for an applica- If a profile option does
tion. These tables can be used before and not appear in the
after profile selection. When using before matrix please contact
profile selection, the type of lip style can be ESP International.
Custom solutions can
narrowed and help determine which profiles
be provided upon
are designed to operate under the applica- request.
tions conditions.
After a profile has been selected this

table should be consulted to reaffirm proper
selection. For parameters outside the rang-
es given for operation please contact ESP
International.
81.
ESP Catalog 0338
Steel or
soft alloy
PROFILE MATRIX Cast or
Soft alloy or
Soft alloy
housing,
plastic hous- provides
steel hous- or plastic
Cast or ing or as re- metal to
ing where housing,
steel hous- placements metal fit
structural ribs reduce
ing if housing and sealing
rigidity is installation
GENERAL surface is ability of
required forces
damaged rubber,
APPLICATIONS reducing
springback
Case
Type G BC
B2
A2 C Rubber Single met-
Single
Dual metal Rubber coated al case,
metal
case, coated case with metal OD,
case,
metal OD case ribs added with half/
Lip metal OD
to OD half design
Type
PROFILES
General standard S - Single SA2 SB2 SC SG SBC
pressure fluid sealing spring
and severe grease loaded
sealing lip
General standard
T - Single TA2 TB2 TC TG TBC
pressure fluid sealing
spring
and severe grease
loaded
sealing with light duty
lip with
exclusion of foreign
dust lip
materials
VA2 VB2 VC VG VBC
General standard
V- Single
pressure grease and
lip
viscous fluid sealing
General standard
pressure grease and KA2 KB2 KC KG KBC
K - Single
viscous fluid seal-
lip with
ing with light duty
dust lip
exclusion of foreign
materials
General fluid sealing DA2 DB2 DC DG DBC
D - Dual
and severe grease
spring
sealing where sep-
loaded
aration of two fluids is
lips
required
General standard UA2 UB2 UC UG UBC
pressure grease U - Triple
retention with heavy sealing
duty exclusion of mud lip
and water
General standard
pressure grease OUA2 OUB2 OUC OUG OUBC
OU - OD
retention with heavy
triple
duty exclusion of mud
sealing
and water and seal-
lips
ing element contact-
ing bore
82.
N STYLE
General medium pressure fluid sealing applications
(50-100 PSI, 3.4-6.9 Bar max), seals are designed for soft alloy
or steel housing.
TCN
PROFILES SCN SCN1 TCN1 TDN
50 psi max 100 psi max 100 psi max 100 psi max
50 psi max
RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS
Maximum shaft RPM 0-2000

dynamic run-out
(DRO) 0.003”
TIR
0.08 mm
0-2000
Maximum shaft to FPM (MPM)
(0-610)
bore misalignment
0.005”
(STBM) STBM
0.13 mm
1” (25.4 mm) 7639
RPM for
Maximum given 2” (50.8 mm) 3820
shaft shaft size
surface 3” (76.2 mm) 2546
speed 2000
FPM (MPM)
(610)
83.
ESP Catalog 0338
4 STYLE
General standard pressure applications where linear
movement is prevalent, seals with metal OD are designed for
cast or steel housing while rubber OD seals are for soft alloy
or plastic housing.
TC4
SB4 TB4 SC4 DC4 PROFILES
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

Maximum shaft dynamic
runout (DRO) 0.020” 0.015” 0.010”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
Maximum shaft to bore (0-305) (305-1097)
misalignment (STBM) 0.015” 0.010”
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
Maximum given shaft 2” (50.8 mm) 6875
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
84.
8-9 STYLE
General standard pressure applications, lip on outside
face is designed to act as rotary axial face seal, seals with
metal OD are design for cast or steel housing while rubber
OD seals are for soft alloy housing.
TB29
TBR8 TC8 TC9 TBC9

PROFILES
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

run-out (DRO) 0.020” 0.015” 0.010”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
85.
ESP Catalog 0338
R STYLE
General standard pressure axial face seal for heavy
duty foreign material exclusion. Metal case might be used to
protect the elastomer from being destroyed.
RVA
RVS RO ROE PROFILES
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

run-out (DRO) 0.020” 0.015” 0.010”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
86.
C STYLE
General standard pressure fluid sealing and severe
grease sealing with light duty exclusion of foreign materials,
designed for applications where shaft eccentricity is exces-
sive (0.060”, 1.5 mm max).
TBCC
SA2C SB2C SCC
PROFILES
TA2C TB2C TCC
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

run-out (DRO) 0.050” 0.030” 0.020”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
87.
ESP Catalog 0338
E STYLE
Solid cap (no center hole) for sealing additional shaft
location holes.
EC
PROFILES
EBC EBG ECS ECJ

20
Maximum pressure PSI (BAR)
(1.4)
88.
V STYLE
Single lip without spring for general standard pres-
sure grease and viscous fluid sealing, install with lip facing to
the air side for maximum dirt exclusion, not typically recom-
mended for oil retention.
VB2
VA2 VBR VC VBC VBJ
PROFILES
VBH V13 V16 V10 V15
RPM 0-2000
run-out (DRO) 0.003”
TIR
0.08 mm
0-2000
FPM (MPM)
Maximum shaft to bore (0-610)
misalignment (STBM) 0.005”
STBM
0.13 mm
0-2000
FPM (MPM)
(0-610)
Maximum pressure
3
PSI (BAR)
(0.21)
1” (25.4 mm) 7639
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 2546
speed
2000
FPM (MPM)
(610)
89.
ESP Catalog 0338
K STYLE
Dual lip without spring for general standard pressure
grease and viscous fluid sealing, secondary lip is designed for
light duty exclusion of foreign materials, not typically recom-
mended for oil retention.
KB2
KA2 KBR KC KBC KBJ
PROFILES
KBH KBS KAM KBP KCL
RPM 0-2000
TIR
0.08 mm
0-2000
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.13 mm
0-2000
FPM (MPM)
(0-610)
Maximum pressure
3
PSI (BAR)
(0.21)
1” (25.4 mm) 7639
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 2546
speed
2000
FPM (MPM)
(610)
90.
S STYLE
Single spring loaded lip for general standard pressure

fluid sealing and severe grease sealing applications.
SB2
SA2 SBR SC SBC SBJ
PROFILES
SBH SBS SAM SBP SUA2
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

run-out (DRO) 0.020” 0.015” 0.010”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
91.
ESP Catalog 0338
T STYLE
Single spring loaded lip with dust lip for general stan-
dard pressure fluid sealing and severe grease sealing appli-
cations, secondary lip is designed for light duty exclusion of
foreign materials.
TBC29
TA2 TBR TC TBC TBJ
PROFILES
TBH TCL T11 TC8 TC9
RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500

run-out (DRO) 0.020” 0.015” 0.010”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-3600
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 4584
speed
3600
FPM (MPM)
(1097)
92.
D STYLE
Dual spring loaded lips, typically used to separate two
fluids but can also be used in high contamination situations
to keep out foreign materials and to retain fluid.
DC
PROFILES DB2 DA2 DBR DBC DAP
RPM 0-1000 1000-2000

run-out (DRO) 0.010” 0.005”
TIR
0.25 mm 0.13 mm
0-1000 1000-2000
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.25 mm 0.13 mm
0-1000 1000-2000
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609)
Maximum pressure
10 5
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34)
1” (25.4 mm) 7639
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 2546
speed
2000
FPM (MPM)
(610)
93.
ESP Catalog 0338
U STYLE
Triple flat lips for general standard pressure grease re-
tention with heavy duty exclusion of mud and water, com-
monly used in agricultural equipment.
UB2
UA2 UBR UC UB10 UA20 PROFILES
RPM 0-800
TIR
0.08 mm
0-500
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm
0-500
FPM (MPM)
(0-152)
Maximum pressure
3
PSI (BAR)
(0.21)
1” (25.4 mm) 1910
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 637
speed
500
FPM (MPM)
(152)
94.
OU STYLE
Triple flat lips for general standard pressure grease re-
tention with heavy duty exclusion of mud and water, com-
monly used in agricultural equipment.
OUB2
PROFILES OUA2 OUBR OUC OUB10 OUA20
RPM 0-800
TIR
0.08 mm
0-500
FPM (MPM)
STBM
0.38 mm
0-500
FPM (MPM)
(0-152)
Maximum pressure
3
PSI (BAR)
(0.21)
1” (25.4 mm) 1910
RPM for
shaft surface size
3” (76.2 mm) 637
speed
500
FPM (MPM)
(152)
95.
ESP Catalog 0338
O STYLE
External lip seals designed to press-fit on shaft or spin-
dle with sealing element contacting bore, all may be used
with lip facing outward to exclude dirt and allow purging.
OVB2
OSB2 OTB2 OKB2 PROFILES

Grease
Oil Lip
Lip
Maximum shaft
dynamic run-out RPM 0-1000 1000-2500 2500-4500 0-2000
(DRO)
0.020” 0.015” 0.010” 0.003”
TIR
0.51 mm 0.38 mm 0.25 mm 0.08 mm
0-1000 1000-3600 0-1000
Maximum shaft to FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-1097) (0-610)
bore misalignment
(STBM) 0.015” 0.010” 0.005”
STBM
0.38 mm 0.25 mm 0.13 mm
0-1000 1000-2000 2000-3600 0-2000
FPM (MPM)
(0-305) (305-609) (610-1097) (0-610)
Maximum pressure
10 5 0 3
PSI (BAR)
(0.69) (0.34) (0) (0.21)
1” (25.4 mm) 13751 7639
RPM for
Maximum given 2” (50.8 mm) 6875 3820
shaft shaft size
surface 3” (76.2 mm) 4584 2546
speed 3600 2000
FPM (MPM)
(1097) (610)
96.
WP STYLE
This style of lip is used for scraping and wiping in hy-
draulic and pneumatic cylinder applications.
WPB
PROFILES WPC WPR WPK WPB2

0.008”
Maximum shaft to STBM
0.20 mm
bore misalignment
(STBM) 0-200
FPM (MPM)
(0-60)
4
PSI (BAR)
(0.28)
Maximum pressure
0-200
FPM (MPM)
(0-60)
Linear velocity
200 (60)
Maximum Shaft
FPM (MPM) maximum
Surface Speed
stroke length
78” (1.98 m)
97.
ESP Catalog 0338
TSL STYLE
General standard pressure fluid sealing and severe
grease sealing, seals are designed for exclusion of foreign
materials, usually used in harsh environments where seals will
see large amount of dirt and debris.
TSL7
TSL8 TSL9 TSL10 PROFILES
Maximum shaft 0.010”

TIR
dynamic run-out 0.08 mm
(DRO) RPM 0-2500
0.010”
Maximum shaft to STBM
0.25 mm
bore misalignment
(STBM) 0-500
FPM (MPM)
(0-152)
10
PSI (BAR)
(0.69)
Maximum pressure
0-500
FPM (MPM)
(0-152)
1” (25.4 mm) 1910
RPM for
Maximum given 2” (50.8 mm) 955
shaft shaft size
surface 3” (76.2 mm) 637
speed 500
FPM (MPM)
(152)
98.
INSTALLATION DIRECTION
The installation direction determines the primary task
of the seal.
It can be installed facing the air side, this is the com-

mon way to use a seal, this way the seal function is to keep
the oil inside of the application.
If the function of the seal is to keep contamination out

it may be installed facing the oil side. In some applications
PROFILES where both function are required two seals may be used, for
specific applications please contact ESP International.
Installation direction.
The installation direction

determines the primary
concern of the seal, it
can be to keep the oil
inside or to keep the
contamination out.
99.
ESP Catalog 0338
HYDRODYNAMIC AID DESIGNS

Hydrodynamic aids can provide vital sealing assis-
tance for a given lip style. This section provides a 2-D view of
the air side angle with an aid style designation. The use of a
hydrodynamic aid is represented by placing an “H” in front
of the radial shaft seal profile designation. If a “TC” profile
utilizes a hydrodynamic aid the designation would be “HTC”.
More specifically, the aid style will be attached to the end of
the profile designation. For a “U5” style aid, in the above ex-
ample, the complete profile designation would be “HTCU5”.
PROFILES
For example, the “L” style aid is a series of molded ribs
located on the air side at an angle of 15° to 20° to the cir-
cumferential contact width.
PARAMETER HYDRODYNAMIC AID
Shaft only rotates in

Type “R”
clockwise direction
Shaft only rotates in

counter-clockwise Type “L”
direction
Shaft rotates in
both clockwise and
Type “U”
counter-clockwise
direction
100.
PROFILES R U U1
R4
L L4 U2 U3
U5 U6 U8 U9
U10 U12 U14 U15
For more information on hydrodynamic aids contact ESP International
101.
ESP International
5920 Dry Creek Lane NE
Request for Quotation

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Ph: 319-393-4310
Fax: 319-393-5327
www. espint.com
Company: Date:
Contact Name: E-Mail:
Phone: Fax:
Dim Description Value
SD Shaft Diameter
BD Bore Diameter
L Bore Depth
SA Shaft Chamfer Angle
SCL Shaft Chamfer Length
BA Bore Chamfer Angle
BCL Bore Chamfer Length
W Seal Width
Shaft Bore
Horizontal Vertical Straight Counterbore
Material: Material:
Hardness: Hardness:
Surface Finish: Surface Finish:
Lead Angle: Chamfer: Yes No
Dynamic Runout: Contamination Level **
Shaft Offset: 1 2 3 4 5
Shaft Motion Particle Type:
Rotating Normal Max % of Exposure:
RPM: % Submerged:
Shaft Speed (ft / min) ** Temperature ** F C
1 2 3 4 5 Sump: Underlip: Outside:
(0-500) (500-750) (750-1750) (1750-4000) (4000-up)

Pressure (PSI) **
Reciprocating Oscillating Standard Med/Low Med High

Stroke Length: Degrees of Arc (0-10) (10-50) (500-1000) (< 1000)
Normal Max Fluid / Lubrication
Cycle / Min:
Grease Oil
Assembly Type:
Removal: Rare Often VI Index:
Space Restrictions: Yes No Sump Fill Level:
Pilot Gap: ** Yes No Application Description:
Shaft Installation Direction
Installation Direction into Bore
Usage ** Continuous Intermittent

Cycle Time: 1 2 3 4 5
Down Time: 1 2 3 4 5
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Each radial shaft seal is made for an

application, which uses a particular fluid,
runs at a pre-determined speed, has certain
temperatures and pressures, and is in a spe-
cific environment. Because of this the manu-
facturing process of each type of seal may
have some additional steps or modifications.
In general the seal consists of three

main components, a rubber portion, a metal
can and a spring. Of which, the rubber and Mixing Machine.
MANUFACTURING can are bonded together and the spring is
PROCESS assembled to the rubber portion. The rotating rotors mix
the ingredients creating
The elastomer that is used in the seal a homogeneous
is called a compound and consists of a substance.
variety of different materials (base polymer,
fillers, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents, accel-
erators, cure activator, inhibitors, anti-de-
gradant, pigments). The ingredients for the
compound is placed in a mixing machine,
where the rotating rotors mix the ingredients
creating a homogeneous substance. Be-
cause the movement of the rotor creates
high temperatures the rotors need to have
an internal refrigerant system to avoid the
vulcanization of the rubber during this step.
After the compound is homogeneous,

it is sent to an open mill, where two cylinders
Open Mill.
rotate in opposite directions. The speed of
the cylinders are different, that way the rub- After the compound is
ber builds onto one of the cylinders, creat- homogeneous, it is sent
ing a rubber sheet. The cylinder temperature to the open mill, where
is also controlled so that is does not exceed two cylinders rotate in
the vulcanization temperature of the com- opposite direction.
pound.
103.
ESP Catalog 0338

Before the rubber moves to the
molding department, it is inspected to
make sure that it meets the minimum re-
quirements for the material. Various tests
are performed to evaluate, hardness, ten-
sile strength, elongation, compression set.
The compound may also be tested to those
criteria after it has been immersed in a fluid
or heated in air. After the batch has been
qualified it moves to the molding depart-
ment and is ready for use.
The metal case is typically manu-

factured from low carbon steel or stainless MANUFACTURING
steel. Typically metal strip is purchased and PROCESS
the case is formed from a stamping process.
To avoid oxidation in the metal,

the parts are coated shortly after stamp-
ing. After the stamping process the case
Stamping Machine.
is cleaned to remove any metal shavings,
The metal sheet is grease and dirt. When the case is clean
placed on the top of they are coated with zinc phosphate. This
the bottom plate, and coating protects against corrosion and
the upper die comes helps improve the surface for later bond-
down and presses the ing to the elastomer.
die into the metal sheet.
After the plated parts have dried,
a primer and bonding agent are ap-
plied to the case. The bonding agent is
required in order for the rubber to bond
to the metal during molding. The prim-
er and bonding agent can be applied
with a spray gun, a brush or by dipping.
104.
The bonding of the case and rubber occurs during
vulcanization. There are three methods that can be used to
mold radial shaft seals:
• Compression molding: The metal case is placed into the

lower part of the mold and the pre cut shape of the
compound (or preform) is set on top of the case. The
upper and lower molds, which contains the shape of the
seal, is heated to the vulcanization temperature of the
compound. The upper mold is pressed down, forcing
the compound to flow into the areas of the mold. After
a specific period of time the compound is fully cured,
the mold is then opened and the parts are removed.
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS
Compression Molding
The upper mold is

pressed down, forcing
the compound into the
areas of the mold
• Transfer molding: Again the metal case is placed into

the lower part of the mold and the upper and lower
molds are heated to the vulcanization temperature. The
preform in transfer molding is placed into a transfer pot
and not in the mold itself. The mold is then closed and
the elastomer is transferred into the mold via the later
compression of the transfer pot. This type of molding
presents less flash in the part than compression molding.
105.
ESP Catalog 0338
Transfer Molding
The preform is placed

into the transfer pot and
not into the mold itself
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS
• Injection molding: In this type of molding the compound
is poured into a barrel, where it is heated at higher tem-
peratures than the compression or transfer molding
This is done because the distance to the mold is gen-
erally longer. The barrel contains a screw that moves
the compound forward while is being heated. The com-
pound is then forced into the mold through a nozzle.
Once the mold is full the screw stops moving, ceasing
the flow into the mold. After the elastomer has cured
the mold opens and the parts are removed.
Injection Molding
The compound is forced

into the mold through a
nozzle
106.
After the rubber and can are bonded together they
are transferred to the trimming machine; there are different
kinds of machines for trimming a seal, the main difference is
the way the seal is held down while is being trimmed, some
use a vacuum and others use a tight fit to a collet. During
trimming the seal rotates at a high RPM while knives trim the
part.
The spring in a radial shaft seal is manufactured from

high carbon steel wire that is placed in a spring coiling ma-
chine.
The seals and springs are inserted into the seal either in
an insertion machine or by hand. The seals may go through
a machine to help orient them properly for assembly of the
MANUFACTURING
spring.
PROCESS
After the spring has been loaded the seals may be
checked in the same insertion machine or in a checking ma-
chine, where a camera will measure the inner diameter of
the seal to make sure that the spring was correctly installed.
Knife Trimming
During trimming the seal

rotates at a high RPM
while the knives trim the
part.
107.
ESP Catalog 0338
Some seals require added manufacturing steps. A

few of the more common steps are listed below:
• The outside diameter can be ground. Grinding the

OD helps to control a tighter tolerance on the OD of
the metal portion of the seal.
• OD sealant may be added to the outside diameter.

This helps to prevent leaks due to bore imperfections.
OD sealant is typically applied to all seals that have
metal only OD’s, such as a TB2 or VB2 cross section.
• The edge of some seal cases can be rolled to make

the installation of the seal easier and prevent seal-
cocking during installation MANUFACTURING
PROCESS
• Seals can also be pre-greased before packaging.
The added grease acts as a pre-lubrication for the
seal lip and helps to provide initial lubrication to the
lip for installation and initial run-in of the lip.
Greased Seal.
Grease can be added

to some seals to keep
the lip lubricated during
the break in period.
108.
start
1 2
ESP engineers work with the customer Select and weigh compound
to design a seal for their application. ingredients
Manufacturing Process
6
5
Metal cans are stamped, zinc phosphate

Material is inspected and tested coated and a bonding agent is applied
8
9
The seals are trimmed as needed

Springs are inserted into the seals
12 13 Parts are packaged and shipped

from one of the ESP worldwide
locations
Sample parts are tested and inspected

ESP Catalog 0338
3 4
The compound is transferred to an

Compound is combined in a mixing open mill
device
Molding
The andmolded using one of this methods
parts are
Manufacturing Process
7
Injection Molding Compression Molding Transfer Molding
10 11
The OD can be ground, OD sealant Seals are greased as needed

applied and the edge of the case can be
rolled as needed
INSTALLATION
The subject of installation represents an area com-

monly overlooked when selecting a radial shaft seal for
an application. Improper installation methods are a major
cause of premature seal failure. The most expertly designed
and manufactured seal will not function properly if the instal-
lation is incorrect.
ALIGNMENTS
There are two areas that need to be checked before
installing the seal, the Shaft to Bore Misalignment and the
Shaft Run-out.
The shaft to bore misalignment is the deviation of the

center axis of the shaft and the receiving bore, if this value
is higher than required it will cause an irregular distribution of
INSTALLATION force around the seal.
Shaft run out or dynamic run out is the distance that

the shaft does not rotate around the center axis. At high
RPM the shaft sealing surface will run in a different center line
than the seal center line, and create a leakage.
Shaft axis Shaft Shaft axis Housing axis

when rotating axis
Shaft to bore
Shaft run out misalignment
Alignments.
The shaft to bore

misalignment and the
shaft run-out, need to
be checked prior to
installation.
111.
ESP Catalog 0338
PRE-INSTALLATION
Before starting the installation, the seal should be inspect-
ed to make sure it does not have any abnormalities or damage.
Even if the seal has a small cut on the OD it can cause the
seal to leak. The bore should be also checked to be sure it does
not have any scratches or contamination that could affect the
seal.
The seal and shaft need to have some level of lubrica-

tion, before starting to run, this will protect the lip during the initial
break-in. Some seals have grease between the main lip and the
dust lip to protect the lip during the break-in period.
INSTALLATION
Pre-Installation.
The seal and shaft

need to have some
level of lubrication
before starting to
run.
Grease
INSTALLATION METHODS
An installation tool should always be used when installing
a radial shaft seal. The use of a tool improves ease of installation
and reduces the possibility of seal cocking (non-perpendicular
to shaft). Press-fitting tools should have an outside diameter ap-
proximately 0.010” (0.25 mm) smaller than the bore size.
A hydraulic or pneumatic press is advised to supply the

necessary force to install the seal.
112.
SEAL COCKING

Cocking can seriously affect the function of the seal.
Seal cocking causes one side of the sealing lip to have greater
interference with the shaft. This can generate more heat which
is harmful for the lip because it can harden and crack. If the
cocking is severe the spring may also dislodge from the lip.
Cocked Seal.
Seal cocking causes

one side of the sealing
lip to have greater
interference with the
shaft.
INSTALLATION
SPRING BACK
When the OD of a seal is rubber covered, the seal may
spring back after it has been installed. The friction between
the rubber OD of the seal and the bore can cause the seal to
retract from the installation position, after it has been pressed in.
Springback 1: Seal
being installed.
When the seal is

being installed,
it contacts the
bottom of the bore.
113.
ESP Catalog 0338
Springback 2: Seal after

installation.
After the installation

force is removed, the
seal will shift slightly
away from the bottom
of the bore, this effect is
called springback.
INSTALLATION
ACCEPTABLE INSTALLATION
METHODS
HOUSING SURFACE STOP INSTALLATION
The machined face of the installation tool bottoms on the ma-
chined housing face.
114.
HOUSING STOP INSTALLATION
The seal bottoms on the interior shoulder of the bore.
INSTALLATION
SURFACE STOP INSTALLATION

The installation tool bottoms on the machined housing face.
115.
ESP Catalog 0338
INSTALLATION OF SEAL OVER SPLINES

A thin walled lubricated assembly sleeve prevents dam-
age to seal lip from the splines, keyways and unchamfered
shafts.
INSTALLATION
STRIKE PLATE INSTALLATION

The face of strike plate bottoms on the machined housing face.
Care must be taken to insure proper seal to bore alignment
while the seal is being installed.
116.
SHAFT STOP INSTALLATION
The installation tool bottoms on the face of the shaft.
UNACCEPTABLE INSTALLATION METHODS

INSTALLATION
The following are schematics of common improper installa-

tion procedures. These methods are presented because they are
commonly seen and not recognized as being incorrect in the indus-
try. If a seal is improperly installed, it could be deformed or severely
damaged, greatly reducing its life. Typically, when a seal is not prop-
erly installed, it will be cocked in the bore and fail in application.
IMPROPER DRIVING
Always use an appropriate type of driving ring to install the seal.
Without it, localized seal deformation may occur.
117.
ESP Catalog 0338
UNDERSIZED INSTALLATION TOOL

If the driving diameter of the installation tool is too small, it
may cause the seal to deform during installation.
INSTALLATION
POORLY ENGINEERED INSTALLATION TOOL

When the installation tool is not appropriate for the seal,
deformation may occur. In this situation the installation tool
should be designed similar to the Surface Stop Installation
Tool.
118.
MISALIGNMENT ERRORS
When the center line of the tool and bore do not coincide, the
seal may be deformed or cocked in the bore, providing a leak
path for the media being sealed.
INSTALLATION
119.
ESP Catalog 0338
INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
Bore: Verify the proper chamfer and remove any contami-

nation, burrs or nicks.
Shaft: Verify the proper lead in chamfer on end of shaft.

Remove any burrs nicks, grooves or lead that could come
in contact with the seal.
Spline and keyways: Sharp edges should be covered with

a lubricated assembly sleeve, shim stock or tape to protect
the seal lip.
Component Specifications: Check all components that

come in contract with the seal and verify proper dimensions
within tolerances, surface roughness and hardness.
Part Interference: Verify that other machine parts do not

rub against the seal, causing friction and damaging heat.
INSTALLATION
Radial Shaft Seal: Visually inspect seal for cuts, nicks or other
damage or contaminations. Verify that the spring is in place.
Seal Direction: If replacing an existing seal, face in the same

direction. Otherwise, generally, the lip faces the media be-
ing sealed.
Pre-Lubrication: It is common practice to use lubrication to

aid in installation for both the ID and OD of the seal. This is
also beneficial for initial startup for the primary lip in applica-
tion.
Correct Installation Tool: Press-fitting tools should have an

outside diameter approximately 0.010” (0.25mm) smaller
than the bore size. For best results, the center of the tool
should be open so pressure is applied only at the seal outer
edge.
Improper Driving Tool: Use proper driving tool such as a soft-

face tool arbor press or soft work piece (wood). To avoid
cocking the seal, apply force evenly around the outer edge.
Avoid Cocking: Bottom out the tool on the shaft, the hous-
ing or bottom out the seal in the housing counter bore.
120.
APPLICATIONS
TRACTOR PTO
PTO applications have one primary challenge, the
ingress of fiber debris, either from weeds, straw, or some-
times baler twine. Fiber debris tends to wrap on the PTO
shaft and collect next to the seal. That material can get
forced into the seals dust lip and then into the main lip
causing an aggressive leak.
The T26 design shown here is used to help guard

against any ingress of fiber material. The design incorpo-
rates a metal guard, sometimes called a weed cutter. This
guard has a slight clearance to the shaft and helps to cut
up any straw or weeds before it has a chance to present
itself at the dust lip.
Tractor PTO.
Seals are designed

APPLICATIONS to help prevent plant
fibers that tend to wrap
on the PTO shaft from
damaging the main lip.
T26
121.
ESP Catalog 0338
HIGH CONTAMINATION SEALING DESIGNS

The EVO and TSL series of seals are specifically designed
for high contamination applications. Seals contain multiple lips
and a labyrinth type pathway that slows the progression of
mud and dirt into the seal.
The TSL is a unitized type design, incorporating multiple

components that are crimped together forming one single
piece for installation. The TSL series come pregreased, and in-
corporate a seal sleeve that eliminates any wear on the shaft
surface. The TSL series are very effective at protecting your
application from mud and debris.
The EVO series incorporates our patent pending EVO

technology, a metal on metal sealing element that keeps
large and small contamination from entering into the seal. The
EVO technology can be used on it’s own or incorporated with
multiple exclusion lips for improved performance.
APPLICATIONS
TSL11 TSL9 EVO

(patent pending)
High Contamination
Sealing Designs.
The EVO and TSL series seals

are specially designed
for high contamination
applications.
122.
TRACTOR AXLE - STANDARD FIELD
ENVIRONMENT
Tractor axles are known for living in a dirty environ-
ment. Dirt and mud can get kicked up by the tires and at
times fording through mud is required. This application re-
quires a seal with higher than normal dirt exclusion capabili-
ties.
With this application there are many choices avail-

able. Here we are showing a couple of common seals con-
cepts, they can be modified to fit specific applications.
The T26 style shown incorporates a main seal lip for re-
tention of oil in the axle, three dust lips for good dirt and dust
exclusion and a metal can excluder that helps to keep large
debris and weeds from entering the main lip.
The OUB2 style shown utilizes four long lips that run on
a stamped metal insert. This style has a good life in dust/dirt
environments when a greasing interval is specified in the ap-
plication. The lips are designed such that grease will purge
past the lips and effectively replace old dirty grease with
fresh clean grease.
APPLICATIONS
T26 OUB2
Tractor Axle.
This applications requires

a seal with higher than
normal dirt exclusion
capabilities.
123.
ESP Catalog 0338
HIGH SHAFT RUNOUT

Generally, radial shaft seals are installed in a location
near a bearing, where the shaft is well supported and the
runout or misalignment of the shaft to the bore is minimal.
But at times seals are needed in locations where shaft runout
can be excessive.
Our high runout line of seals can extend the runout

capability of a standard seal and help to fix some runout is-
sues that come up. The seal cross section incorporates a
flexible membrane that helps the main lip follow a shaft with
a high runout issue.
High Shaft Runout.
Sometimes seals are

needed in locations
where shaft runout can
be excessive.
APPLICATIONS
TBCC
124.
FLUID SPLITTING
Fluid splitting seals utilize a double sealing lip and
are used in applications that involve the separation of
two fluids.
These types of seals can be found in grease/oil

applications. Or most commonly in wet clutch applica-
tions where a seal is needed between the engine and
transmission/clutch.
Fluid Splitting Seals.
These types of
seals can be
found in grease/oil
applications.
APPLICATIONS
125.
ESP Catalog 0338
DUO CONE FACE SEALS

Metal face seals are used in high contamination envi-
ronments at moderate speeds. The seal consists in two metal
rings that spin, one against the other, keeping out contamina-
tion in extreme conditions.
Metal faces are loaded with rubber o-rings which help

to apply an even load to the face of the seal for the life of
the seal, when the o-rings fail they can be replaced and the
metal faces can be used again.
Duo Cone Face Seals.
Metal face seals

are used in high
contamination
environments at
moderate speeds.
APPLICATIONS
126.
FL SEAL SERIES
The patent pending FL Series SealTM offers a unique exclusion
design that accommodates for production and application seal
gap variability.
The FL Series SealTM installs onto a chamfer with a specifically

engineered angle and length. As the seal gap changes during use,
the FL seal slides up and down the chamfer, maintaining constant
contact with the sealing face.
Typical pivot pin applications utilize a standard pin or wiper

seal to keep dirt out of the bearing or bushing. These standard pin
seals will seal on the outer diameter of the pin, but as the seal lip
wears, leakage can occur. The FL seal self-adjusts as the lip wears,
extending the life of the seal itself.
FL Series Seals.
The patent pending

FL design uses a seal
cross section that
APPLICATIONS
rides on a chamfer.
FL Seal Cross Section
127.
ESP International
5920 Dry Creek Lane NE
Request for Quotation

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Ph: 319-393-4310
Fax: 319-393-5327
www. espint.com
Company: Date:
Contact Name: E-Mail:
Phone: Fax:
Dim Description Value
SD Shaft Diameter
BD Bore Diameter
L Bore Depth
SA Shaft Chamfer Angle
SCL Shaft Chamfer Length
BA Bore Chamfer Angle
BCL Bore Chamfer Length
W Seal Width
Shaft Bore
Horizontal Vertical Straight Counterbore
Material: Material:
Hardness: Hardness:
Surface Finish: Surface Finish:
Lead Angle: Chamfer: Yes No
Dynamic Runout: Contamination Level **
Shaft Offset: 1 2 3 4 5
Shaft Motion Particle Type:
Rotating Normal Max % of Exposure:
RPM: % Submerged:
Shaft Speed (ft / min) ** Temperature ** F C
1 2 3 4 5 Sump: Underlip: Outside:
(0-500) (500-750) (750-1750) (1750-4000) (4000-up)

Pressure (PSI) **
Reciprocating Oscillating Standard Med/Low Med High

Stroke Length: Degrees of Arc (0-10) (10-50) (500-1000) (< 1000)
Normal Max Fluid / Lubrication
Cycle / Min:
Grease Oil
Assembly Type:
Removal: Rare Often VI Index:
Space Restrictions: Yes No Sump Fill Level:
Pilot Gap: ** Yes No Application Description:
Shaft Installation Direction
Installation Direction into Bore
Usage ** Continuous Intermittent

Cycle Time: 1 2 3 4 5
Down Time: 1 2 3 4 5
CUSTOM SHAFT SEAL
TESTING
ESP International specializes in sealing applica-
tions with a focus on radial shaft seal technology and
testing. We offer customize radial shaft seal testing.
ESP Engineering’s advanced shaft seal test facility

utilizes shaft seal test machines that perform tests like Hot
Oil tests, Dust and Slurry tests, Torque Testing, Pump Rate
Testing, Lip Opening Force and Shaft Lead.
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Oil Testing Machine.
Seal testing
machines allow
different tests.
129.
ESP Catalog 0338
HOT OIL
ESP’s test machines can simulate a shaft seal ap-
plication by running a duty cycle similar to the actual
application. Modification of the sealing parameters are
possible during the running of test.
It is common to run varying shaft speeds over a

set period of time. The table below shows a list of the
parameters that can be modified:
PARAMETERS THAT CAN BE CHANGED
Shaft speed 0-10,000 RPM
Fluid temperature Ambient - 200°C
Fluid type Customer specifications
Shaft run-out 0 - 0.5 mm

Shaft to bore
0 - 5 mm
misalignment
Oil fill level Half shaft, full shaft
Oil pressure 0 - 200 bar
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Hot Oil Testing Machine.
ESP’s test machines can

simulate a shaft seal
application.
130.
TORQUE TESTING
All shaft seals create some friction on the rotating
shaft. That friction results in some power loss to the vehicle
and in situations where maintaining vehicle power is impor-
tant the selection of shaft seal becomes important as well.
Our seal power consumption test equipment can

determine the amount of power drawn from various seal
designs, giving you the proper information you need when
selecting a shaft seal design.

Fluid temperature Ambient
Shaft run-out 0-0.5 mm
Shaft to bore
0-5 mm
misalignment
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Torque Testing.
T Our seal power consumption

test equipment can
determine the amount of
F power drawn from various
seal designs.
131.
ESP Catalog 0338
DUST AND SLURRY SOLUTION

This is a bolt on option to our hot oil test machines.
It allows you to introduce media to the excluding features
of the seal. Mixtures of ISO 12103-1 test dust with bentonite
clay and water are standard but it is possible to run any me-
dia such as belt dust, volcanic ash or water.
The sump and dust chamber are monitored daily for

ingress of debris and failure of the seal. Comparison of seal
designs is common with this type of test.

Shaft run-out 0 - 0.5 mm
Shaft to bore
0 - 5 mm
misalignment
Oil pressure 0 - 200 bar
Media on chamfer Slurry, dust, water or other substance
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Slurry Chamber Assembly.
This is a bolt on option to

our hot oil test machine.
132.
PUMP RATE TESTING
Shaft seals work by the generation of a fluid pump-
ing action under the seal lip.
The amount of oil pumped through the seal can

be measured by placing another chamber on the front
of the seal and introducing oil into that chamber. This ef-
fectively places oil on the air side of the seal and allows
measurement of the amount of oil that transfers from the
air side to the oil side, giving you the pump rate of the seal
lip.

Shaft run-out 0-0.5 mm
Shaft to bore
0-5 mm
misalignment
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Pump Rate Testing.
Our pump rate testing

equipment can
determine the amount
of oil that is pumped
through the seal.
133.
ESP Catalog 0338
SHAFT LEAD TESTING

The surface of a shaft is normally formed from a ma-
chining process called lathe turning. This is where a cutting
tool is along the surface of a spinning work piece or shaft
and material is removed until the desired size is achieved.
The one issue with lathe turned surfaces in radial shaft seals
is the process creates a spiral groove on the shaft surface, or
machining lead. That spiral groove acts to pump oil under-
neath the seal lip. Depending on the direction of lead and
direction of rotation machining lead can improve sealability
of a radial shaft seal or cause it to leak very quickly.
Because of the latter it is important to limit the amount

of machining lead present in a shaft surface. If you ever have
a seal with a leak it’s important to understand the presence
of this condition on the suspect shaft. ESP’s radial shaft seal
lab can provide support by inspecting shafts for machining
lead problems and help identify a possible root cause for a
seal leak issue.
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
CW Rotation and weight stays stationary
Shaft Lead Testing.
The shaft surface may

have spiral grooves
that create lead on
the shaft, potentially
causing the seal to
leak.
CCW Rotation and weight stays stationary
134.
LIP OPENING FORCE TEST
Radial shaft seal use a spring to keep the lip pressed
onto the shaft. After the seal has run for some time and the
lip material has swelled and softened, the spring increases
the ability of the lip to follow the shaft’s dynamics.
The radial sealing force, also call load, that the lip
exerts in the shaft affects the life of the seal. If the load
is too high, it will wear out the lip faster causing it to fail.
And if the load is not strong enough it will not generated
enough force on the lip to seal when it swells. This load
can be measure with ESP’s LOF Machine.
ID 10 - 150 mm
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
Lip Opening Force.
Our LOF tester can

determine the load that
the lip exerts on the
shaft.
135.
ESP Catalog 0338
CUSTOM TEST
ESP specializes in custom seals, which sometimes
calls for custom testing machines. This is an example of
one machine designed and built at ESP International to
test the FL series.
Flod Seal Testing.
ESP International
designed and built the
testing machine to test
a custom made seal.
CUSTOM SEAL
TESTING
136.
SEALING SYSTEM LEAKAGE
SEALING SYSTEM LEAKAGE ANALYSIS GUIDE
SECTION 1: Introduction
The Oil Seal Manufacturing Industry is committed to pro-
vide functional, efficient radial lip seals for all applications. If a
sealing system leaks, it is most important that the manufacturer
be provided with as much data about the sealing system and its
environment as possible in order to provide a timely and correct
solution.
The mere return of a leaking seal is not sufficient informa-

tion on which to base corrective action. The following is a Leak-
age Analysis Guide prepared by the Technical Committee of the
Oil Seal Subdivision of the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
SECTION 2: Sealing System

There are four elements to any sealing system:
2.1 The sealing device

2.2 The shaft or running surface
2.3 The housing bore
2.4 The medium to be sealed
It is not possible to provide an accurate analysis of a leak-

ing sealing system without examination of all four elements.
TROUBLE SECTION 3: Purpose

SHOOTING
The purpose of this document is:
3.1 To provide the seal user with a systematic method of docu-

menting all factors related to a sealing system and its immediate
environment.
3.2 To provide a comprehensive list of probable causes for the

factors of conditions found.
137.
ESP Catalog 0338
3.3 To provide possible corrective actions for conditions found.

This may enable the user to solve the problem without consulting
the seal manufacturer.
3.4 To provide the seal manufacturer with comprehensive docu-

mentation of a sealing system deficiency.
SECTION 4: Use of this document

This document contains a three-part checklist designed
to lead an investigator through a sequential sealing system leak-
age analysis.
Part 1 Examination of the sealing system and immediate environ-

ment with the seal in place.
Part 2 Examination of the seal after removal
Part 3 Examination of the other three elements (i.e., housing,

shaft and lubricant) of the sealing system.
Completion of this three-part checklist should provide the

examiner and eventually the seal manufacturer with sufficient
information to diagnose the problem.
For each abnormal condition of the checklist, there is a

reference code. Each reference code represents a page in the
Causes and Countermeasures section of this guide. If a condi-
tion is checked on the list, the guide will provide a number of
possible causes for that condition, as well as a number of pos-
sible countermeasures or corrective actions that could be taken TROUBLE
by the responsible agency. SHOOTING
If the problem is not correctable by the user, the checklist

should be forwarded, with the seal in question, to the seal manu-
facturer.
If it is not possible to provide all of the information request-

ed on the checklist, it would be of benefit to the seal manufac-
turer to have access to all elements of the sealing system so that
all relevant information can be gathered.
138.
SEALING SYSTEM LEAKAGE ANALYSIS CHECKLIST
PART 1
An examination of the sealing system and immediate environment with the seal in
place.
Seal Application: Equipment Identification:
Miles/Hours of Operation: Complaint:
Before removal, carefully inspect the seal, the shaft and the immediate area around
the leakage site. Follow this check-list:
Amount of Leakage
Slight Immediate area damp Heavy leakage
Source of Leakage
Check Location Reference Code
Between shaft and seal lip ------
Between OD of seal and bore B.2.5
At retainer bolt holes B.3.1
At retainer gasket B.3.2
Between wear sleeve and shaft B.3.7
Through seal on assembled seal B.3.8
Condition of Immediate Environment
Seal area clean Mud or dust packed in seal area B.2.1
Wipe Immediate Area Clean and Inspect
Check Condition Reference Code
Nicks on bore chamfer B.1.1
Seal loose in bore B.1.2
Paint spray on seal lip B.2.2
TROUBLE
Seal cocked in bore (amount)________ B.2.3
SHOOTING
Seal installed in wrong orientation (backwards) B.2.4
Seal case deformed B.2.6
Shaft to bore misalignment B.3.5
Rotate Shaft if Possible Check for Radial & Axial Play
Excessive shaft end play (amount) ________ B.3.3
Excessive shaft runout (amount) __________ B.3.4
Note: If location of leakage cannot be confirmed at this point, either introduce ultra-
violet dye into the sump or spray area with white powder, operate for 15 minutes and
check for leakage with ultraviolet or regular light. When above analysis is complete,
mark the seal at the 12 o’clock position and carefully remove from the application.
Oil sample obtained B.3.6
Completed by: _____________________ Date:
139.
ESP Catalog 0338
PART 2
Clean the removed seal in a mild solvent. Do not attempt to scrape away carbon, etc.
Inspect the seal using this checklist.
Primary Lip Area
Normal wear C.2.1.1
No wear C.2.1.1
Excessive wear C.2.1.1
Eccentric wear C.2.1.3
Inverted lip due to poor installation C.2.1.10
Nicks, scratches or cuts at lip contact area C.2.1.4
Hardened or cracked rubber C.2.1.6
Coked oil on lip C.2.1.8
Softening or swelling C.2.1.9
Seal Outside Diameter
Normal ----------
Severe axial scratches C.2.2.2
Peeled rubber C.2.2.3
Hardened rubber C.2.2.4
Nonfills or cuts C.2.2.5
Spring and Spring Groove Area
Spring normal and in place ---------
Spring missing C.2.3.1
Spring corroded C.2.3.2 TROUBLE
More than one spring C.2.3.4 SHOOTING
Separated spring C.2.3.5
Make the Following Measurements
Primary lip inside diameter? (________________) C.2.1.7
Primary lip radial force? (________________) C.2.1.7
Seal outside diameter? (________________) C.2.2.1
Spring inside diameter? (________________) C.2.3.3
Spring tension? (________________) C.2.3.3
Primary lip wear band width?
Min. (________________)
Max. (________________)
Comments:
Completed By: ___________________ Date:
140.
PART 3
An examination of the housing, shaft and lubricant (after seal removal).
Inspect the Housing Bore Area

Measure bore diameter: (_________) C.1.1
Bore chamfer damaged C.1.2
Flaws or voids in housing C.1.3
Tool withdrawal marks in bore C.1.4
Bore surface scratched or galled C.1.5
Inspect the Shaft in the Seal Contact Area

Measure shaft diameter: (___________) C.3.1
Shaft surface corroded C.3.3
Seal wear path in wrong location C.3.4
Scratches or nicks at lip contact area C.3.5
Measure wear path width: (___________) C.3.7
Discoloration on shaft surface C.3.8
Coked lubricant present C.3.8
Shaft chamfer damaged or missing C.3.11
Wear sleeve loose on shaft (if applicable) C.3.13
Remove Shaft from Application for Further Inspection
Characteristic Reference Code

Measure surface roughness: (________Ra) C.3.2
Measure depth of wear path: (_________) C.3.6
Measure shaft lead: (________Deg) C.3.9
TROUBLE
Measure shaft hardness: (_________Rc) C.3.10
SHOOTING
Check for proper shaft material C.3.12
Inspect the Lubricant
Check Reference Code

Contaminates (particulates) in filtered lube C.4.1
Compare Lubricant from Application with New Lubricant for Proper Type
Color different C.4.2
Viscosity different C.4.2
Odor different C.4.2
Completed By: _____________________ Date:
141.
ESP Catalog 0338
SHORT FORM
Intended for field or shop work where the more comprehensive 3-part checklist may not be practical.
Seal Application: Equipment Identification:

Miles/Hours of Operation: Complaint
Step 1: Inspect the Seal Application Before Removal
Amount of leakage Slight Seal area damp Heavy leakage
Condition of area
Clean Dusty Mud packed
Leakage source
Between lip and shaft Between OD and bore
At retainer gasket Between elements of seal
At retainer bolt holes Between wear sleeve
and shaft
Step 2: Wipe Area Clean and Inspect

Check Nicks on bore chamfer Seal loose in bore
Conditions
Seal cocked in bore Seal case deformed
Found
Seal installed wrong Paint spray on seal
Shaft to bore misalignment Other
Step 3:Rotate Shaft if Possible
Check Conditions Excessive end play Excessive runout
Step 4: If the location of the leak cannot be confirmed at this point, either introduce ultra violet
dye into the sump or spray area with white powder, operate for 15 minutes and check for leak-
age with ultraviolet or regular light.
Step 5: Mark the Seal at the 12 O’Clock Position and Remove it Carefully
Retain an oil sample
Step 6: Inspect the Application with Seal Removed

Rough bore surface
Flaws or voids in bore
Check Shaft clean
Conditions Shaft corroded
Found Coked lube on shaft TROUBLE
Shaft discolored
Shaft damaged SHOOTING
Step 7: Inspect the Seal
Primary Normal Excessive Eccentric
Lip Wear None
Damaged Hardened (stiff)
Primary Lip Normal
Condition Soft (flexible) Axial scratches Damaged rubber
Seal OD Normal Missing Separated
Spring In Place
Corroded
Comments:
Completed By: ____________ Date:
142.
SEALING SYSTEM LEAKAGE
B.1.1 Nicks on Bore Chamfer

Probable Causes Action or Countermeasures
1. Mishandling prior to
Check bore/housing machining
seal installation (Fig. 1)
Check casting dimensions for proper mate-
2. Insufficient material
rial allowance. Check machining locations
removal
for proper gage points.
3. Tool chatter on cham- Review machining procedures for proper
fer surface (Fig. 2) tool configuration, feed, speed and coolant.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
B.1.2 Check for Looseness in Bore

Check bore machining dimensions
1. Oversized bore ID.
for out of tolerance condition.
2. Undersize seal OD. Check seal OD for out of tolerance.
Review installation procedure and

3. Rolling of seal into bore dur-
TROUBLE
ing installation. use proper installation tools.
SHOOTING
Increase bore material hardness or
4. Bore sizing.
use bore sealant.
5. Excessive shrinkage/hard- Review application temps, and seal
ening of rubber OD seal. material specifications.
6. Deformation of seal during Review installation procedure and
installation (Fig 1). use of proper tool.
Fig. 1
143.
ESP Catalog 0338
B.2.1 Contaminants (Mud or Dust) Packed in Seal Area

Look for cut or damaged
1. Failure of auxiliary lip. (Fig. 1) auxiliary lip. Look for auxiliary lip
worn excessively.
Fig. 1
B.2.2 Paint Spray on Seal Lip

Review paint procedure,
1. Lack of paint mask
recommend a mask
Issue a service bulletin to
2. Service or in field paint
prevent paint overspray or
procedure
specify a mask
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
Paint spray
particles
144.
B.2.3 Check for Seal Cocking
Use proper installation tool. Check
1. Seal installation (Fig. 1) installation force to insure complete
installation
2. Insufficient or improper Provide proper amount and lead in
bore chamfer angle for chamfer
3. Excessive seal interfer- Check bore ID and seal OD for
ence with rubber OD seal proper dimensions
Fig. 1
B.2.4 Check for Proper Installation and

Orientation Relative to Assembly

1. Backward installa-
Provide foolproof installation tool
tion caused by lack of
and/or visual aide to identify proper
proper installation tool
orientation
TROUBLE or visual aide (Fig. 1)
SHOOTING 2. Improper axial location
Provide proper installation tool
of seal (Fig. 2)
3. Improper axial position Provide proper installation tool and

of shaft (Fig. 3) visual aide for proper position
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
145.
ESP Catalog 0338
B.2.5 Check for OD Leakage

1. Oversized bore/undersized Check bore and seal diameters at
seal removal
2. Damaged housing Check upon removal
3. Damaged seal Check for OD damage upon removal
4. Differential thermal expan-

sion (aluminum or magne- Calculate fit at maximum temperature
sium housing)
Seal
Housing
Shaft
Leakage
B.2.6 Check for Case Deformation (dishing or damage)

1. Dented heel face caused
by hammer installation TROUBLE
SHOOTING
2. Dished heel face caused
by improper tool
Witness
Dented
Mark
Case
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
146.
B.3.1 Check Bolt Holes for Leakage
1. Threads in housing tapped Review product machining

into fluid reservoir specifications
2. Insufficient bolt tightening Provide proper installation tool
3. Undersize bolt diameter or

Measure bolt and bolt hole for fit
oversize thread tap
Insure the bolt, housing material have
4. Material thermal expan-
similar thermal characteristics for
sion incompatibility
temperature extremes
Use locking method so bolt won’t
5. Vibration
work loose
Check bolt loading specs and

6. Bolt fracture
operating parameters
Insure bolt hole is free of particles
7. Contamination or corrosive fluids prior to bolt
installation
Insure bolt housing and material
8. Corrosion are compatible with application
environment
9. Bolt missing Install specified bolt

TROUBLE
SHOOTING 10. Cross threading Retap and use correct bolt
11. Improper bolt Change to correct bolt size
12. Improper head type Change to correct bolt
147.
ESP Catalog 0338
B.3.2 Check Gaskets for Leakage
1. Heat aging causes stress Use high temperature gasket

or cracking material compression set
2. Improper machining or Review machining procedure for
mating surface proper machining techniques
3. Casting porosity or other Inspect hardware surface for visual
hardware surface defects prior to gasket installation
4. Excess gasket preload re-
Review bolt torque requirements set
sulting in compression
5. Gasket swell, soft, hard Check fluid compatibility of gasket
from chemical attack material
Use proper installation procedures
6. Torn gasket
and tools
Use proper installation procedures
7. Crimped or folded gasket
and tools
Review system pressure specs, field
8. Gasket blown out application conditions, check
gasket hardness
9. Dry gasket Replace gasket
10. Wrong size Use correct gasket

TROUBLE
11. No sealant on gasket Apply sealant SHOOTING
12. No gasket Install gasket
148.
B.3.3 Check for Axial Shaft End Play
1. Worn thrust bearing Replace bearing

2. Shearing of lock ring or lock- Check hardness of lock device and
ing key dynamic
3. Wear sleeve on shaft is loose Check press or bond fit for sleeve
4. Negative stack-up in hard-
Review product prints
ware tolerances
Shaft Seal
Dial
Indicator
Housing
B.3.4 Check for Excessive Shaft Runout

Exceeded bearing load capacity.
1. Failed bearing Excessive wear or contamination-re-
place bearing.
TROUBLE
SHOOTING 2. Excessive shaft deflec- Balance shaft and/or support shaft
tion better
3. Shaft machined out of Review shaft print specs and production
tolerance limits and tolerances, and adjust process
Dial
Indicator Seal
Shaft
Housing
149.
ESP Catalog 0338
B.3.5 Check for Shaft to Bore Misalignment

Review design and assembly
1. Poor initial alignment (Fig. 1)
operations and provide
accurate alignment
2. Seal manufactured with Review production quality data,
high radial wall variation adjust process
Fig. 1
B.3.6 Obtain Oil or Sealed Lubricant Sample
1. Wrong fluid Correct procedure for initial fill
Review fluid specification verses sump

2. Degraded fluid temperature and change the fluid TROUBLE
requirement or sump temperatures SHOOTING
Specify pre-lube with temperature
3. Degraded pre-lube capabilities equal or better than
fluid sealed
Locate source of contamination
4. Contaminated fluid
and remove
150.
B.3.7 If a Wear Sleeve is Used, Check for Leakage
Between Shaft and Sleeve
1. Improper sleeve press fit Inspect at removal
2. Damaged shaft Inspect at removal
3. Improperly finished shaft (chatter) Inspect at removal
Seal
Shaft
Wear
Sleeve
Housing
B.3.8 If Assembled Seal, Check for Leakage

Between Clamped Elements
1. Improper seal manufacturing (in-

Consult seal manufacturer
sufficient clamping force) (Fig. 1)
TROUBLE
SHOOTING 2. Severe dish or bulge of seal assem- Excessive interference
bly at time of installation (Fig 2) between seal OD and bore
Assembled
(Clamped)
Seal
Leak
Path Leak
Heel
Path
Bulged
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
151.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.1.1 Measure Bore Diameter
Use correct OD seal- machine

1. Seal loose
bore to correct size
2. Oversize bore diameter Check seal for proper OD size.
resulting from seal press fit Increase housing radial wall in
deformation area of seal gland
3. Tapered bore diameter

Specify maximum axial diameter
resulting from improper
taper
machining techniques
4. Undersize or oversize bore

Contact OEM for corrective action
due to design error
5. Oversize bore not in Unit may be a rebuild. Check seal

dimensional agreement with OD diameter and order proper
OEM specification replacement part
Replace damaged seal with cor-
6. Seal collapsed
rect size
Bore TROUBLE
SHOOTING
152.
C.1.2 Check Bore Chamfer
1. Chamfer lead-in not

Review machining practices
adequate to install seal due
and product drawing
to improper chamfer angle
2. Deformation of lead- Check OD of seal to insure
in chamfer edge due to not oversize, check ID of
chamfer diameter less than chamfer to insure it meets
maximum OD of seal specs
3. Chamfer not present due Review product drawing
to machining or product and make the appropriate
drawing error changes
4. Chamfer deformed due to Increase bore hardness, use
seal installation rubber OD seal
Check drawing and
5. Chamfer too long causing
chamfer angle. Measure
insufficient flat area for seal
seal width to insure proper
retention
part and fit.
TROUBLE
SHOOTING Chamfer
153.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.1.3 Inspect for Flaws or Voids in Housing

1. Porosity in housing resulting
Review foundry practices
from casting defect
2. Circumferential scratches,
Review machining techniques and
burrs, and gouges due to ma-
specification
chining
3. Cracks in housing due to heat Review material heat treating
treating or mishandling specification and handling practice
4. Grinding media embedment
Review machining practices
producing rough surface
Circumferential
Scratches
Porosity
Axial Scratch
or Crack
C.1.4 Check for Tool Withdrawal Marks on Bore

1. Poor machining practices.
Tool in contact with sur- Review machining techniques
face during removal TROUBLE
Apply OD sealant to seal and/or SHOOTING
2. Leakage thru machine bore. Machine to larger OD and
marks use larger seal. Machine bore
and install sleeve.
Spiral
Withdrawal
Axial
Withdrawal
154.
C.1.5 Check for Severe Scratches or Galling
Marks on Bore
1. Scratches and galling due Review handling and ship-

to poor handling techniques ping practices
2. Scratches and galling due
Review machining prac-
to
tices
machining operations
3. Scratches and galling due
part assembly; i.e. shaft,
Review assembly practices
seal and
bearings
Machine and use larger OD
4. Leakage through imperfec-
seal. Machine and install
tions.
sleeve.
Galling
Scratches
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
155.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.1.1 Lack of Wear

Usually associated with insufficient radial force or over-abun-
dance of lubrication
Check seal ID for garter spring.

Check shaft dia. Observe shaft
1. No interference with
for evidence of contract. Look for
shaft
concave distortion on outside face
of seal
Check seal ID for low radial load.

2. Very light interfer-
Look for concave distortion on seal
ence with shaft
outside face
3. Seal installed Check installation method and

backwards teardown report
Check fluid consumption reports

4. Heavy continu-
– look for excessive interference.
ous leakage from
Leakage may be occurring through
startup, possible from
a defect; check seal ID and shaft for
another source
defects
5. Dynamic lift-off cen- Check for low radial load and

trifugal force, flutter spring presence. Check lip opening
or stick-slip action pressure on shaft size mandrel.
6. Reverse hydrody- Check shaft rotation direction with

namic pumping di- helix. Check for spiral lead or axial
rection scratches on shaft. TROUBLE
SHOOTING
No wear on
seal lip
156.
C.2.1.1 Excessive Wear
1. Excessive interference Check seal ID and shaft size (interference)

Check for high radial load. Look for small ID
2. Excessive radial force
garter spring
3. Excessive pressure on
Check system pressure at operating conditions
lip
4. Rough shaft finish Inspect shaft for defects, measure surface finish
5. Insufficient lubrication
Provide lube on seal airside or between lips
at seal lip
Concave
wear caused
Wear path
by pressure
width
C.2.1.3 Eccentric Wear

1. Seal cocked in Check shaft for wide wear path. Check
assembly (Fig. 1) installation procedure and equipment
2. Excessive radial wall Measure seal radial wall variation and
variation of lip relate to wear pattern
TROUBLE 3. Excessive shaft to
Check shaft to bore offset (Fig. 2)
bore misalignment
SHOOTING
4. Angled or cocked Check shaft alignment, excessive runout or
shaft (Fig. 3) bent shaft
5. Side load applied to Check possible side deflection or loose
shaft bearings
Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3

Cocked Seal Excessive STBM Cocked Shaft
157.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.1.4 Nicks, Scratches or Cuts at Lip Contact Area
1. Sharp edge or burrs on end of shaft Inspect shaft for burrs or sharpness
2. Sharp edge or burrs on installation
Inspect installation tool for burrs, sharp edge
tool
3. Seal installed over keyway or splines Use installation sleeve for splines, keyways
4. Trimming knife cuts Check supplier’s knife trimming methods

5. Nibbled appearance at sealing Defects may be caused by bulk finishing or
edge handling by supplier
Check supplier’s packaging and shipping
6. Cuts from packaging method
methods
Nick
Scratch
C.2.1.5 Tears or Separations in Lip Area

1. Stress fatigue in flex sec- Check system pressure. Seal may be
tion (Fig. 1) deformed in ID flex section
2. Bond separation at ID of
Check seal for bond, burrs, and blisters
metal case (Fig. 2)
Check lip contact area for minor cold TROUBLE
3. Migration of low tem-
cracks. Suspect severe side load at low SHOOTING
perature crack
temperature
4. Circumferential tear
Look behind lip at base for circumferen-
behind lip (Fig. 3) possi-
tial tear caused by pressure or fatigue
bly from another source
5. Caused during dis- Review teardown and seal removal
assembly or removal methods and check tools used
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
158.
C.2.1.6 Hardening or Cracking of Rubber

1. Prolonged or excessive
Check rubber spec. vs. system temp profile
high temp exposure
2. Flexing of lip at temps be- Check rubber spec. vs. system temp pro-
low rubber capability file. Check offset, runout and sideplay
3. Extended dry running
Check fluid level, check that shaft isn’t too
causing localized high
smooth
temperature under lip
4. Cracking from disassembly Review procedures and look for other
or observation techniques damages
Check other dry areas of rubber, consider
5. Ozone exposure
excessive solar or electrical exposure
Axial Cracks
C.2.1.7 Measure ID and Radial Load

1. Measure ID using non- Use optical comparator or linear scope.
contact device Record min/max readings and relate to leak
2. Measure wear pattern Use optical means, photographic, or cross
TROUBLE width and variation sections in comparator
SHOOTING 3. Compare profile with Section seal and mount on glass slide for
profile of new seal magnified comparator viewing
Use electronic split mandrel type radial load
4. Measure radial ID force
device (ref: RMA doc. OS-6)
ID
Used
New
Min. Wear Path Max. Wear

Path
159.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.1.8 Coked Oil on Lip
1. Hard and glazed deposit on ID Possibly decomposed fluid. Scrape and analyze
2. Insufficient hydrodynamic
Helices ineffective
pumping action
3. Excessive under-lip temperature Check fluid specs vs. operating parameters
Coked oil on lip
Heat Check
C.2.1.9 Softening or Swelling
1. Volume change of Refer to elastomer physical data, check

material very high fluid
2. Reversion Check elastomer/fluid compatibility specs
3. Exposure to solvent Review teardown procedure and

used during teardown elastomer compatibility with solvents
TROUBLE
4. Operational contami- SHOOTING
Check for possible exposure to unspecified
nation of fluid being
media coming in contact with seal
sealed
Excessive Swell
Original Section
160.
C.2.1.10 Inverted Lip Due to Poor Installation

Provide installation aide such as bullet
1. Oil to air side assembly
nose for shaft
2. Lack of proper con- Provide centering aide for assembly
centricity assembly such as locating pins
Polished Spring
Wear path on oil

side angle
C.2.2.1 Measure Seal Outer Diameter
1. Wrong seal for application Check for proper seal identification

Check housing print. Also check for
2. Bore or housing reworked evidence of rework such as chuck
marks
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
Seal OD
Bore ID
161.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.2.2 Check for Severe Scratches on OD
1. Damaged bore or bore

Check bore and chamfer condition
chamfer (Fig. 2)
2. Die scratches from case Check for OD coating or sealant in

operation scratch (Fig. 1)
Coating or
Sealant in
scratches
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
C.2.2.3 Check for Peeled Rubber on OD

1. Poor rubber bond to case
Case OD clean at rubber interface
(Fig.1)
2. Lack of lubrication of OD at as-
Case OD has rubber adhering to it
sembly
3. Lack of proper lead-in chamfer TROUBLE
Check bore chamfer condition SHOOTING
(Fig. 2)
Chamfer too
small or sharp
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
162.
C.2.2.4 Check for Hardened Rubber on OD
(Rubber OD Design)
1. Excessive heat in applica-

Check for other evidence of overheating
tion
2. Improper seal material se- Check material vs. operating temperature

lection of lube compatibility
Hardened and
cracked OD
surface
C.2.2.5 Rubber OD Nonfills/Cuts
1. Improper seal manufacture.

Prep weight or shape out of Consult seal manufacturer
spec. (Fig. 1)
2. Bore chamfer sharp or

Inspect bore chamfer
damaged. (Fig. 2)
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
Chamfer
too small
or sharp or
burred
Fig 1 Fig 2
163.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.3.1 Missing Spring
Check for spring witness marks in

1. Seal may never have had a
spring groove. Also light wear on
spring
primary lip
2. Spring may have become

dislodged during seal or shaft Check installation procedures
installation
Check installation procedures.

3. Spring joint may have sepa-
Check garter spring joint quality
rated
(RMA OS-5)
Spring
witness
marks
C.2.3.2 Corroded Spring
1. Spring may not have had Check new seals from same
proper rust. supplier TROUBLE
SHOOTING
2. Application may be exposed Check for moisture in lube or
to excessive moisture corroded components
3. Application may contain a

Specify stainless steel spring
corrosive fluid
4. Seal may have been improp-

erly packaged and/or stored Check service stock
prior to installation
5. Wrong spring material Consult supplier
164.
C.2.3.3 Check for Correct Dimensions and Spring Load
1. Wrong spring on seal (exces- Check seal drawing for spring
sive or no wear on primary lip) dimensions. Also light wear on primary lip
groove
Check seal drawing. Check for proper
2. Spring not properly normalized
heat treatment (RMA OS-5)
3. Improperly manufactured spring Check seal drawing for spring dimensions
Nib Ø
Free Length
Body diameter = D Free assembled

Wire diameter = d ID
Free length = (Free ID + d)π
Free ID = Free length/ π-d
C.2.3.4 Multiple Springs

1. Malfunctioning spring installation
equipment at seal manufacturing System audit at supplier.
TROUBLE location.
SHOOTING Review installation station.
2. Loose springs at seal installation
Remove any loose springs.
station. Extra spring installed by as-
Review seal design and
sembler
packaging.
165.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.2.3.5 Separated Spring
1. Improper spring nib configuration Inspect spring per RMA OS-5
2. Excessive vibration or stick-slip of Inspect primary lip for excessive,

seal. cyclical seal wear
3. Improper seal installation. Review

installation procedures.
2 or 3
reduced
coils (NIB)
Cyclical seal
wear
C.3.1 Shaft Diameter
1. Oversize shaft may accelerate

lip wear, increase heat genera- Replace shaft, or, if oversize,
tion, shaft wear may cause lip to machine to proper diameter.
invert during installation
2. Undersize shaft may result in in-
sufficient lip interference to seal
properly, resulting in premature
leakage. TROUBLE
SHOOTING
Ø Shaft
166.
C.3.2 Shaft Surface Roughness (Primary Sealing Surface)
1. Excessively rough shaft may

Replace shaft or, if oversize,
accelerate lip wear and if too
machine to proper diameter
rough, leak upon initial startup
2. Undersize shaft may result in in-

sufficient lip interference to seal
properly, resulting in early leak-
age
C.3.3 Shaft Corrosion
Apply corrosion-resistant shaft

material
1. Corrosion on the shaft in the Use Replaceable corrosion-resistant
area of the lip contact will in- shaft sleeve
terfere with lip’s ability to seal
Change assembly design to limit
against the shaft surface prop-
access of corrosive contaminates
erly. The increased surface
roughness may provide leak- Change to seal design that will
age paths and lip wear may protect shaft from corrosion so lip
increase from higher rough- can function normally.
ness
If corrosion from inventory storage
TROUBLE before assembly- change inventory
SHOOTING system.
Corrosion at &
between lip por-
tions
Seal primary lip

wear path
Seal auxiliary lip
wear path
167.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.3.4 Lip Wear Band in Wrong Location on Shaft
1. Insufficient/excessive lip
interference may occur Make sure proper seal is used
affecting lip’s ability to (width to specs?)
seal.
2. Improper seal of seal

Make sure seal installed to proper
lip may contact shaft
depth (not too deep/shallow) in-
resulting in high tempera-
stallation tool/procedure may be
ture or leakage due to
revised to ensure proper depth.
improper lip orientation
Check shaft or assembly per

specs
4. Seal moving after installa- Check install method, seal and

tion bore diameter
5. Metal case of seal de-

May orientate lip improperly.
formed during installation.
Lip wear Lip

band wear
band TROUBLE
SHOOTING
168.
C.3.5 Scratches or Nicks at Lip Contact Area on Shaft
Action or Countermea-
Probable Causes
sures
Check handling proce-
dures of shaft from time
shaft is machined until it
1. Scratches or nicks (if
reaches assembly area
large enough) across
special carrying trays that
the seal contact area
protect shafts from hitting
of shaft act as leakage
each other area suggest-
paths.
ed. Special cardboard or
nylon mesh sleeves are
commonly used.
2. Shaft damaged during May require assembly
actual assembly. method or jig change.
3. Worker mishandling
Improve handling method
causing damage.
It may be possible to
rework shaft to remove
defect but shaft rough-
ness or diameter should
not be altered outside of
design spec.
Harden shaft to minimum
RC 45 to improve resis-
tance to scratching or
nicking.
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
169.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.3.6 Excessive Shaft Wear
1. Seal lip will have diffi-

culty sealing against
Check shaft hardness, may get
the shaft wear band
harder shaft
if depth is too large
or width is too wide.
Outside contaminant ingestion

may cause problem. Use con-
taminant-resistant design.
Improper lubrication can cause

accelerated shaft wear. Check
lube compatibility with lip and
quantity of lubricant reaching
seal.
Check compatibility and

4. Contaminant pres-
change fluid more frequently or
ent in fluid to be
filter more
sealed.
effectively.
Proper lip interference. Check

shaft diameter and seal to
make sure to specs.
6. Excessive eccentric-
Check for excessive runout or
ity can cause unusu-
shaft to bore misalignment.
al wear.
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
Wear band
depth
Wear
band
Wear band
width
170.
C.3.7 Wide Shaft Wear Band Relative to Seal Wear
Band
1. Leakage may re-

sult prematurely as Check for seal cocking and
lip cannot maintain correct installation procedure if
proper orientation found.
against the shaft
2. Leakage may occur Excessive axial motion can cause

as wide shaft wear this type of wear. Check assem-
band may act as bly and replace bearing if de-
leakage path. fective or worn.
Seal wear band
Shaft wear band
TROUBLE
SHOOTING
171.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.3.8 Shaft Discoloration or Coked Oil on Shaft
1. Discoloration may indicates

excessively high tempera-
tures. The high temperatures Check quantity of lubricant reach-
may affect other charac- ing seal and increase if
teristics of seal (lip hardness) necessary.
resulting in premature fail-
ure.
2. Coked oil buildup will inter-

Was shaft diameter or lip ID causing
fere with the seal lip’s ability
too much interference? Change to
to contact shaft which will
reduce interference.
result in failure
3. Bearing preload too high

causing temperatures in Set bearing to proper preload.
seal area to be very high.
4. Shaft too smooth causing

Check shaft roughness.
seal to run hot.
5. Excessive pressures in seal

cavity can load seal lip ex- Reduce pressure or use
cessively against shaft caus- pressure-resistant seal design.
ing high temperatures.
Change oil to high temperature

resistant fluid.
Reduce operating temperature of TROUBLE

final assembly to range compatible SHOOTING
with lube and seal material.
Coked oil build up on

air side of seal
Discolored area yellow

(straw) or blue Seal primary lip surface
172.
C.3.9 Machine Lead

1. Machine lead may hydrody-
Finish shaft as recommended
namically pump medium to be
in RMA document OS-1 to
sealed out, depending on shaft
eliminate machine lead.
rotation direction.
Shaft being checked for lead per procedure in OS-1
C.3.10 Shaft Hardness
1. Shaft with hardness less

than Rc 30 may experi-
ence accelerated wear, Harden shaft or use harder shaft
especially if sealing in a material proper diameter.
highly abrasive environ-
ment.
TROUBLE 2. Rc 45 is the preferred hard-

SHOOTING ness if handling defects
Use wear sleeve.
(scratches or nicks) are
likely.
Reduce amount of contaminants

reaching seal by changing to
contaminant-resistant seal design
or changing assembly design to
limit outside contaminants. Change
fluid more frequently if inside
contaminants. Using better wear
resistant bearing, gear, or other
metal components inside assembly
will help reduce contaminants in
lubricant.
173.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.3.11Shaft Chamfer Condition
1. Insufficient chamfer may

cause seal lip to invert, Apply proper shaft chamfer as
cause garter spring to recommended in RMA
pop off or make installa- document OS-4.
tion very difficult.
2. Sharp edges or burrs may Use a shaft sleeve, mandrel or

cut seal lip or cause lip to bullet to protect seal lip during
invert. installation.
0.12
0.07
30°
15°
No sharp edges or
burrs allowed
C.3.12 Proper Shaft Material

TROUBLE
Probable Causes Action or Countermeasures SHOOTING
1. Primary concern is achieving

recommended shaft hardness Change shaft material to
and/or resistance to corrosion compatible material for
if in a highly corrosive environ- application.
ment.
Shaft wear sleeve may be

applied.
174.
C.3.13 Wear Sleeve Fit
Follow proper installation

1. Improper fit of the sleeve may
methods to insure sleeve is not
result in a deformed sleeve.
damaged during installation.
2. Leakage may occur be- Check shaft chamber for burrs

tween sleeve ID and shaft di- or nicks or improper angle/
ameter depth and correct
3. If sleeve is loose, it may rotate Use additional sealant to pre-

separate from shaft resulting vent sleeve ID/shaft interface
in excessive heat generation leakage
Check shaft diameter OD/

sleeve ID to see if correct-re-
place if necessary. Also, seal-
ant such as loctite or perma-
tex may prevent sleeve from
spinning.
Shaft sleeve
TROUBLE
Shaft
SHOOTING
175.
ESP Catalog 0338
C.4.1 Contaminants in Oil
Review procedure to insure removal of

1. Inadequate cleaning of unit
machining debris prior to part
prior to assembly.
assembly.
Inspect seal for presence of
2. Ingestion of contaminates
exclusion lip. For spring load seal, check
past seal.
for spring.
3. Wear debris: e.g. bearing,
Inspect dynamic components for
shaft and other dynamic con-
excessive wear.
tact parts.
4. Oil contamination during Check storage procedures for bulk oil
storage supply.
Check in-house and incoming oil
5. Oil contamination by vendor
containers for contaminates.
6. Break-down of hydraulic hos-
ing and similar system com-
Check material fluid compatibility.
ponents due to material de-
terioration
7. Sabotage Install tamper-proof fill cap.
8. Worn seal Replace oil, filter oil, and clean housing.

9. Sintered (powdered metal)
components
C.4.2 Composition of Lubricant Compared to New TROUBLE

SHOOTING
1. Changes in fluid lubricity,

Send oil sample to vendor for analysis
viscosity
2. Apparent color differences Send oil sample to vendor for analysis
3. Noticeable odor difference Send oil sample to vendor for analysis
4. Noncompatible “substitute”
Use fluid specified by OEM
fluid
5. Contaminates in fluid Replace fluid; filter fluid
176.
RADIAL SHAFT SEAL PART
NUMBERING SYSTEM
INCH SIZE
Radial shaft seals are manufactured in a large range
of sizes and styles. To expedite the ordering process a straight-
forward part numbering system has been developed. Follow-
ing is a detailed description of this system.
The part number is composed of the seal profile, shaft

diameter, bore diameter, width of seal, O.D. treatment (ODT),
lip material, case material and spring material. Below is a rep-
resentation of how the part number is assembled.
Profile - Shaft Bore Width - ODT Lip Case Spring
• Profile: Selected from Profile Matrix, e.g. TB2, UB2
• Shaft: The diameter of shaft where the seal will operate
• Bore: The diameter of bore where the seal will operate
• Width: the width of the seal case
• ODT: Outside Diameter Treatment

- : OD sealant (standard)
G: Ground OD
(Sealant and ground are the only options on metal
OD radial shaft seals)
• Lip: Material of primary sealing element

N: Nitrile
T: Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
ORDER F: Fluorocarbon (Viton)
INFORMATION P: Polyacrylate
S: Silicone
E: Ethylene Propylene (EPDM)
H: High Temperature Nitrile
X: Carboxylated Nitrile
177.
ESP Catalog 0338
• Case: Case material

C: Carbon steel (1008-1010)
S: Stainless steel (30304)
• Spring: Spring material

EXAMPLES:
Typical Part Number
TB2-087513750313-NCC

This is profile TB2 for a 0.875” shaft, 1.375” bore and
0.313” width with OD sealant, nitrile for the primary sealing lip,
carbon steel case and carbon steel spring.
Ground OD
SA2-225032510375-GPSS
This is profile SA2 for a 2.250” shaft, 3.251” bore, and

0.375” width with a ground OD, polyacrylate primary sealing
lip, stainless steel case, and stainless steel spring.
Hydrodynamic Aid
HSCJR-125022500250-XCS
An “H” is placed in front of the profile designation

when a hydrodynamic aid is molded into the lip. The design
of the hydrodynamic aid immediately follows the profile des-
ORDER
ignation.
INFORMATION
This is profile SCJ with type “R” hydrodynamic aid for
a 1.250” shaft, 2.250” bore, and 0.250” width. The seal has a
carboxylated nitrile primary sealing lip, carbon steel case and
stainless steel spring.
178.
METRIC SIZE LIST
Radial shaft seals are manufactured in a large range
of sizes and styles. To expedite the ordering process a straight-
forward part numbering system has been developed. Follow-
ing is a detailed description of this system.
The part number is composed of the seal profile, shaft

diameter, bore diameter, width of seal, OD treatment (ODT),
lip material, case material and spring material. Below is a rep-
resentation of how the part number is assembled.
Profile - Shaft Bore Width - ODT Lip Case Spring
• Profile: Selected from Profile Matrix eg TB2, UB2
• Shaft: The diameter of shaft where the seal will operate.
• Bore: The diameter of bore where the seal will operate.
• Width: The width of the seal case.
• ODT: Outside diameter treatment

-:OD sealant (standard)
G: Ground OD
(Sealant and Ground only an option on metal OD ra-
dial shaft seals)
• Lip: Material of primary sealing element.

N: Nitrile
T: Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
F: Fluorocarbon (Viton)
P: Polyacrylate
S: Silicone
E: Ethylene Propylene (EPDM)
ORDER H: High Temperature Nitrile
INFORMATION X: Carboxilated Nitrile
179.
ESP Catalog 0338
• Case: Case material

• Spring: Spring material

EXAMPLES
Typical Part Number
TB2-02102800070-NCC
This is profile TB2 for a 21.0 mm shaft, 28.0 mm bore and

7.0 mm width with OD sealant, nitrile for the primary sealing
lip, carbon steel case and carbon steel spring.
Ground OD
SA2-035006500120-GPSS
This is profile SA2 for a 35.0 mm shaft, 65.0 mm bore,

and 12. Mm width with a ground OD, polyacrylate primary
sealing lip, stainless steel case, and stainless steel spring.
Hydrodynamic Aid
HSCJR-080011000100-XCS
An “H” is placed in front of the profile designation

when a hydrodynamic aid is molded into the lip. The design
of the hydrodynamic aid immediately follows the profile des-
ignation.
ORDER
This is profile SCJ with type “R” hydrodynamic aid for a INFORMATION
80.0 mm shaft, 110.0 mm bore, and 10.0 mm width. The seal
has a carboxylated nitrile primary sealing lip, carbon steel
case, and stainless steel spring.
180.
RELATION BETWEEN SHAFT DIAMETER, FPM, MPM AND RPM
REFERENCE
181.
ESP Catalog 0338
DECIMAL & MILLIMETER EQUIVALENTS
REFERENCE
1 mm= 0.03937” 0.001”=0.0254 mm
182.
CONVERSION FACTORS
REFERENCE
183.
ESP Catalog 0338
CONVERSION FACTORS
REFERENCE
184.
EQUATIONS FROM GEOMETRY
REFERENCE
185.
Approximate Physical Properties of Some Common Liquids (BG Units)
Liquid Tempera- Density, ρ Specific Dynamic Kinematic Surface Vapor Pres- Bulk
ture (slugs/ft3) Wight, γ Viscosity, µ Viscosity, ν Tension, a σ sure, P Modulus,b
(°F) (lb/ft3) (lb/ft2) (ft2/s) (lb/ft) [lb/in2 (abs) Ev
v
] (lb/in2)
ESP Catalog 0338
Carbon tetrachloride 68 3.09 99.5 2.00 E - 5 6.47 E - 6 1.84 E - 3 1.9 E + 0 1.91 E + 5

Ethyl alcohol 68 1.53 49.3 2.49 E - 5 1.63 E - 3 1.56 E - 3 8.5 E - 1 1.54 E + 5
Gasolinec 60 1.32 42.5 6.5 E - 6 4.9 E - 6 1.5 E - 3 8.0 E + 0 1.9 E + 5
Gylcerin 68 2.44 78.6 3.13 E - 2 1.28 E - 2 4.34 E - 3 2.0 E - 6 6.56 E + 5
Mercury 68 26.3 847 3.28 E - 5 1.25 E - 6 3.19 E - 2 2.3 E - 5 4.14 E + 6
SAE 30 oilc 60 1.77 57.0 8.0 E - 3 4.5 E - 3 2.5 E - 3 2.2 E + 5
Seawater 60 1.99 64.0 2.51 E - 5 1.26 E - 5 5.03 E - 3 2.56 E -1 3.39 E + 5
Water 60 1.94 62.4 2.34 E - 5 1.21 E - 5 5.03 E - 3 2.56 E - 1 3.12 E + 5
a
In contact with air
b
Isentropic bulk modulus calculated from speed of sound
c
Typical values. Properties of petroleum products vary.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Approximate Physical Properties of Some Common Liquids (SI Units)

Liquid Tempera- Density, ρ Specific Dynamic Kinematic Surface Vapor Pres- Bulk
ture (kg/m3) Wight, γ Viscosity, µ Viscosity, ν Tension, a σ sure, P Modulus,b
(°C) (kN/m3) (N x s/m2) (m2/s) (N/m) [N/m2 (abs) Ev
v
] (N/m2)
Carbon tetrachloride 20 1,590 15.6 9.58 E - 4 6.03 E - 7 2.69 E - 2 1.3 E + 4 1.31 E + 9
Ethyl alcohol 20 789 7.74 1.19 E - 3 1.51 E - 6 2.28 E - 2 5.9 E + 3 1.06 E + 9
c
Gasoline 15.6 680 6.67 3.1 E - 4 4.6 E - 7 2.2 E - 2 5.5 E + 4 1.3 E + 9
Gylcerin 20 1,260 12.4 1.50 E + 0 1.19 E - 3 6.33 E - 2 1.4 E - 2 4.52 E + 9
Mercury 20 13,600 133 1.57 E - 3 1.15 E - 7 4.66 E - 1 1.6 E - 1 2.85 E + 10
c
SAE 30 oil 15.6 912 8.95 3.8 E - 1 4.2 E - 4 3.6 E - 2 1.5 E + 9
Seawater 15.6 1,030 10.1 1.20 E - 3 1.17 E - 6 7.34 E - 2 1.77 E + 3 2.34 E + 9
Water 15.6 999 9.80 1.12 E - 3 1.12 E - 6 7.34 E - 2 1.77 E + 3 2.15 E + 9
a
In contact with air
b
Isentropic bulk modulus calculated from speed of sound
c
Typical values. Properties of petroleum products vary.
186.
REFERENCE
187.
REFERENCE
Approximate Physical Properties of Some Common Gases at Standard Atmospheric Pressure (BG Units)
Gas Temperature Density, ρ Specific Dynamic Kinematic Gas Specific Heat

(°F) (slugs/ft3) Wight, γ Viscosity, µ Viscosity, ν Constant,a R Ratio, b
(lb/ft3) (lb*s/ft2) (ft2/s) (ft*lb/slug*°R) κ
Air (standard) 59 2.38 E - 3 7.65 E - 2 3.74 E - 7 1.57 E - 4 1.716 E + 3 1.40
Carbon dioxide 68 3.55 E - 3 1.14 E - 1 3.07 E - 7 8.65 E - 5 1.130 E + 3 1.30
Helium 68 3.23 E - 4 1.04 E - 2 4.09 E - 7 1.27 E - 3 1.242 E + 4 1.66
Hydrogen 68 1.63 E - 4 5.25 E - 3 1.85 E - 7 1.13 E - 3 2.466 E + 4 1.41
Methane (natural gas) 68 1.29 E - 3 4.15 E - 2 2.29 E - 7 1.78 E - 4 3.099 E + 3 1.31
Nitrogen 68 2.26 E - 3 7.28 E - 2 3.68 E - 7 1.63 E - 4 1.775 E + 3 1.40
Oxygen 68 2.58 E - 3 8.31 E - 2 4.25 E -7 1.65 E - 4 1.554 E + 3 1.40
a
Values of the gas constant are independent of temperature
b
Values of the specific heat ratio depend only slightly on temperature.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Approximate Physical Properties of Some Common Gases at Standard Atmospheric Pressure (SI Units)
Gas Temperature Density, ρ Specific Dynamic Kinematic Gas Specific Heat

(°C) (kg/m3) Wight, γ Viscosity, µ Viscosity, ν Constant,a R Ratio, b
(N/m3) (N*s/m2) (m2/s) (J/kg*K) κ
Air (standard) 15 1.23 E + 0 1.20 E + 1 1.79 E - 5 1.46 E - 5 2.869 E + 2 1.40
Carbon dioxide 20 1.83 E + 0 1.80 E + 1 1.47 E - 5 8.03 E - 6 1.889 E + 2 1.30
Helium 20 1.66 E - 1 1.63 E + 0 1.94 E - 5 1.15 E - 4 2.077 E + 3 1.66
Hydrogen 20 8.38 E - 2 8.22 E - 1 8.84 E - 6 1.05 E - 4 4.124 E + 3 1.41
Methane (natural gas) 20 6.67 E - 1 6.54 E + 0 1.10 E - 5 1.65 E - 5 5.183 E + 2 1.31
Nitrogen 20 1.16 E + 0 1.14 E + 1 1.76 E - 5 1.52 E - 5 2.968 E + 2 1.40
Oxygen 20 1.33 E + 0 1.30 E + 1 2.04 E - 5 1.53 E - 5 2.598 E + 2 1.40
a
Values of the gas constant are independent of temperature
b
Values of the specific heat ratio depend only slightly on temperature.
ESP Catalog 0338
GLOSSARY
A
The side of a seal that normally faces away from
Air Side:
the fluid being sealed.
The angle between the air-side surface and the

Air Side Angle:
shaft. Also barrel angle.
Angle, Contact Ap-
See angle, outside lip.
proach:
The angle between a helical rib and the lip line of
Angle, Helix:
contact.
Angle, Helix Con- The angle formed by the rib leading edge and
tact: the lip line of contact.
The angle formed by the leading edge of the rib
and a line perpendicular to a plane tangent to
Angle, Helixseal Rib:
the outside lip surface at the centerline of the rib
base.
The angle between the inside lip surface and the
Angle, Inside Lip:
axis of the seal case.
The angle between the toe face of a seal lip and
Angle, Molded Toe:
the seal axis.
The angle between the outside lip surface and
Angle, Outside Lip:
the axis of the seal case.
The angle between the trimmed face of a seal lip
Angle, Trimming:
and the seal axis.
A group of parts that includes sealing surfaces,
provisions for initial loading and a secondary seal-
Assembly, Seal:
ing mechanism, which accommodates the radial
and axial movement necessary for installation.
Axial Clearance: See Clearance, Axial.
B
Base, Seal: See Face, Outside Seal.
Bedding-In: See Run-in.
REFERENCE
A condition where the contact between the seal-
Bell Mouth: ing element and the shaft occurs on the air side
of the seal and not on the seal tip.
A raised cavity or sack that deforms a surface of
Blister:
the seal material.
188.
The adhesion established by vulcanization be-
tween two cured elastomer surfaces, or be-
Bond:
tween one cured elastomer surface and one
nonelastomer surface.
A cylindrical surface that mates with the out-
Bore, Housing:
side diameter of the outer seal case.
Bore, Seal Case: See Diameter, Outer-Case Inner.
Buna-N: See Nitrile.
C
The part of the seal head section that is re-
Cap:
moved during trimming.
A design feature of a type of radial lip seal
where in the heel of the sealing element is at-
Case, Bonded:
tached to the seal case by an adhesive dur-
ing the molding operation.
A design feature of a type of radial lip wherein
the heel of the sealing element is attached
Case, Clinched:
to the seal case by clamping it between two
convolutions, or folds, of the case.
A rigid, cup-shapped component of a seal
assembly that is placed inside the outer seal
Case, Inner: case. It has one or more of the following func-
tions: reinforcing member, shield, spring retain-
er or lip-clamping device.
Checking: Short axial cracks on the lip contact surface.
The gap between the toe face of the head
Clearance, Axial: sections and the inside surface of the inner
case.
An installations in which the plane of the out-
Cocked Assembly: side seal face is not perpendicular to the shaft
axis.
Coil: One turn of the coiled wire garter spring.
A seal element comprised of two or more
REFERENCE Composite: compounds bonded together to enhance
seal performance and/or reduce costs.
The circular line formed where the air side and
oil side surface of the elastomeric lip element
Contact Line:
intersect. The contact line is a point when the
seal element is view in cross-section.
189.
ESP Catalog 0338
Contact Line The axial distance from the outside seal face
Height: to the lip contact line.
A design feature of a type of radial lip seal
Case, Molded: wherein the lip and case are made integral in
the molding process.
The outer thin-wall rigid structure of the lip seal
assembly which contains the inner case, the
Case, Outer:
primary-seal ring, the spring parts and the sec-
ondary seal.
A rigid member to which the seal lip is at-
Case, Seal:
tached.
A single unit or assembly of contoured parts
Cavity, Mold: in which a material, such as an elastomer, is
shaped into a particular configuration.
The annular area between a housing bore an
Cavity, Seal:
a shaft, into which a seal is installed.
Contact Point: The area where the seal lip contacts the shaft.
The axial dimension of the contact area that
Contact Width:
results when the seal is installed on the shaft.
Contamination: Foreign matter on the seal surface.
Crack: A sharp break or fissure in the sealing element.
The time –dependent part of a strain resulting
Creep:
from stress.
The time required to produce vulcanization at
Cure Time:
a given temperature.
Curing Tempera- The temperature at which the elastomeric
ture: product is vulcanized.
A deep discontinuity in the seal material
Cut:
whereby no material is removed.
Damage to the elastomeric portion of the seal
Cut, Trim:
during trimming.
D
Deformation: A stress induced change of form or shape.
REFERENCE
Diameter Assem- Assembled spring inside the inner diameter of

bled Spring Inside: the garter spring with the ends securely joined.
Diameter, Free-Lip: See Diameter, Unsprung Lip
190.
The apparent inner diameter of the seal lip
when the seal case is concentric with the
Diameter, Func-
outer diameter of the sizing mandrel in an air
tional Lip:
gauge, light box or similar inspection equip-
ment.
Diameter, Inside The inner diameter of the inner case of a ra-
Face Inner: dial lip seal.
The inner diameter of the seal lip, measured
Diameter, Lip:
with the spring installed.
The inside, or smallest, diameter of the outer
Diameter, Lip-Inner:
case on a lip-seal assembly.
The external diameter of a lip-seal assembly,
Diameter, Seal
which normally corresponds to the outer di-
Outer:
ameter of the outer seal case.
Diameter, Spring The spring coil diameter minus the spring wire
Mean Coil: diameter.
Diameter, Spring The outer diameter of an individual helical coil
Outside Coil: of a garter spring.
The lip diameter in the free state (no spring)
Diameter, Trimmed developed by knife trimming the molded por-
Lip: tion of the sealing element to form the con-
tact line.
Diameter, Unsprung The inner diameter of the seal lip, measured
Lip: without the spring installed.
The distance between the seal lip contact line
Dimension, Radial and the seal outside diameter measured in a
Wall: radial direction on a finished seal in the free
state.
Operation of a seal without lubrication at the
Dry Running:
seal-shaft interface.
An instrument which measures the hardness
of rubber by the penetration (without punc-
Durometer:
turing) of an indentor point into the surface of
rubber.
E
Eccentricity, Lip ID
REFERENCE See Variation, Radial Wall.
to OD:
The radial distance which the geometric cen-
Eccentricity, Shaft: ter of a shaft is displaced from the axis of shaft
rotation.
The property of a material which causes it to
Elasticity:
return to its original shape after deformation.
191.
ESP Catalog 0338
An elastic rubberlike substance, such as natu-

Elastomer:
ral or synthetic rubber.
Element, Sealing: See Lip, Seal.
The increase in length of a specimen due to
Elongation: a tensile force expressed as a percentage of
the original specimen length
A measure of axial movement encountered
End Play: or allowed, usually in reference to the shaft on
which the seal lip contacts.
Permanent displacement of part of a seal into
Extrusion:
a gap, under the action of fluid pressure.
F
Feet per minute, used as a measure of shaft
speed instead of RPM. To convert RPM to FPM
FPM:
use the formula 0.262 x RPM x diameter (inch-
es) = FPM
The surface of the inner case which faces,
Face, Inside: and is usually in contact with, the fluid being
sealed.
Face, Molded Toe: See Face, Toe.
The surface of the seal case, perpendicular to
Face, Outside: the shaft axis, which is not in contact with the
fluid being sealed.
The face of the helix seal rib which is closest to
Face, Rib Leading:
the fluid side of the seal.
Face, Toe: The annular surface of the spring retaining lip.
The seal inside lip surface when formed by a
Face, Trim:
trimming operation.
An arbitrary term which is the product of face
pressure and relative sliding velocity. The term
Factor, pv:
is normally considered to provide some mea-
sure of severity of service or seal life.
A solid compounding ingredient which may
Filler: be added usually in finely divided form, in rela-
tively large proportions, to a polymer. REFERENCE
Finish, Shaft Sur-
See Texture, Shaft Surface.
face:
Thin extrusions of the elastomer formed by ex-
Flash: trusion at the parting lines in the mold cavity or
vent points.
192.
A rapid change in fluid state, from liquid to gas-
eous. In a dynamic seal, this can occur when
frictional energy is added to the fluid as the lat-
Flashing: ter passes between the primary sealing faces, or
when fluid pressure is reduced below the fluid’s
vapor pressure because of a pressure drop across
the sealing faces.
Region where the seal lip will flex when the seal
Flex Point:
element is stretched over the shaft.
The thickness of the region that flexes when the

Flex Thickness:
seal element is stretched over the seal.
Flexibility of a material during exposure to a pre-

Flexibility, Cold: determined low temperature for a specific length
of time.
The side of the seal which in normal use faces to-

Fluid Side:
ward the fluid being sealed.
A saturated polymer in which hydrogen atoms

Fluoroelastomer: have been replaced with fluorine. It is character-
ized by excellent chemical and heat resistance.
The ability of a seal lip to maintain a dam when

Followability:
the shaft has vibrations or dynamic runout.
The radial force exerted by an extension spring

and/or lip of a seal on the mating shaft. Lip force
Force, Lip:
is expressed as force per unit of shaft circumfer-
ence.
G
A depression formed in the head section of the
Groove, Spring: seal. It is generally semicircular in form and serves
to accommodate and locate the garter spring.
H
The resistance to indentation. Measured by the
relative resistance of the material to an indentor
Hardness:
point of any one of a number of standard hard-
ness testing instruments.
REFERENCE
An arbitrary numerical value which indicates the
Hardness, Durom- resistance to penetration of the indentor point
eter: into the rubber surface. Value may be taken im-
mediately or after a very short specified time.
193.
ESP Catalog 0338
The relative hardness of an elastomer obtained

Hardness, Shore:
by use of a Shore durometer instrument.
Height, Contact The axial distance from the outside seal face
Line: to the lip contact line.
Height, Helix Seal The height of the helical ribs, measured per-
Rib: pendicular to the outside lip surface.
The axial distance from the outside seal face
Height, Lip:
to the toe face.
A rigid structure which supports and locates
Housing:
the seal assembly with respect to the shaft.
A sealing system having helically disposed ele-
Hydroseal:
ments formed on the shaft surface.
I
Inclusion: Foreign matter included in the seal material.
A trimmed surface which does not have all
Incomplete Trim:
designated material removed.
The ratio of the mean coil diameter to the wire
Index, Spring: diameter of a garter spring to exclude con-
taminates.
A material such as PTFE bonded onto a lip of
an elastomeric seal to provide improved ex-
Insert, Lip:
periences the closest approach and effects
the primary seal.
The region between the static and dynamic
sealing surfaces in which there is contact, or
Interface:
which experiences the closest approach and
effects the primary seal.
Interference, Lip: See Interference, Seal.
The difference between the seal and shaft di-
Interference, Seal:
ameters.
A standard unit used to indicate the relative
International Rub- hardness of elastomeric materials, where zero
ber Hardness De- represents a material having a Young’s modu-
grees (IRHD): lus of zero, and 100 represents a material of REFERENCE
infinite Young’s modulus.
K
A blemish of the sealing element created by
Knit Line:
premature curing during molding operation.
194.
L
Spiral grooves on a shaft surface caused by
Lead, Shaft: relative axial movement of grinding wheel to
shaft.
Leakage: See Rate, Leakage.
Refers to the working circumferential length
(measured on spring centerline) of the garter
Length, Deflected:
spring with the seal lip assembled on a normal
(designed) shaft diameter.
The axial distance between the thinnest part
Length, Lip:
of the flex section and the contact line.
The total unconfined length of a spring. For
Length, Spring Free: a garter spring, it would not include the rib
length.
The length of time to failure which indicates
the relative ability of a material to withstand
Life, Flex:
dynamic bending or flexing under specific test
conditions.
The line of intersection between the outside
and inside lip surface of a radial lip seal. In a
Line, Contact:
cross-sectional view, this intersection is illustrat-
ed as a point.
A nonsprung axial lip at the heel of the elas-
Lip, Axial Dirt: tomeric lip that impinges upon a radial flange
and is used.
Lip, Auxiliary: See Lip, Secondary Seal.
Lip, Dirt: See Lip, Secondary Seal.
Lip Dust: See Lip, Secondary Seal.
A type of seal lip which requires no trimming to
Lip, Molded:
form the contact line.
The normally flexible elastomeric component
Lip, Primary: of a lip seal assembly, which rides against the
rotating surface and affects the seal.
The section of the helix seal lip incorporating
Lip, Static:
the contact line.
REFERENCE
A short, nonspring-loaded lip, located at the
Lip, Secondary: outside seal face of a radial lip seal to prevent
ingress of atmospheric contaminates.
The portion of the primary lip that restricts the
Lip, Spring Retain-
axial movement of the extension spring from a
ing:
predetermined position.
195.
ESP Catalog 0338
The total force (load) acting on the seal lip

which tends to maintain contact of the lip on
Load, Radial:
the shaft. It is the sum of the forces developed
from seal interference and the garter spring.
LOP: See Pressure, Lip Opening.
The substance used to coat the surfaces of a
mold to prevent the elastomer from adhering
Lubricant, Mold:
to the mold cavity surface during vulcaniza-
tion.
Lack of proper lubrication at the seal interface
Lubricant Starva-
which may cause premature wear and early
tion:
failure.
M
Spiral grooves similar to a screw thread on a
Machine Lead: shaft surface that can result from improper fin-
ishing process, may result in early leakage.
The tensile stress at a specified elongation. A
Modulus, Rubber:
measure of resistance to deformation.
The ratio of the stress to the resulting strain
(the latter expressed as a fraction of the origi-
Modulus, Young’s:
nal height or thickness in the direction of the
force).
A molded imperfection on the surface of the
Mold Impression:
seal.
A single organic molecule usually containing
Monomer: carbon and capable of additional polymer-
ization.
N
A short end section of an extension spring
formed by a reduction in the coil diameter
Nib, Spring:
used to join the two ends in forming a garter
spring.
A void created in the seal material after mold-
Nick:
ing.
A general term for the copolymers of butadi-
Nitrile:
ene and acrylonitrile.
Nonfill: A void in the seal material. REFERENCE
O
The radial distance between the axis of the
Offset:
seal bore and the axis of shaft rotation.
The measure of an elastomer’s ability to with-
Oil Resistance: stand the deteriorating effect of oil on the me-
chanical properties.
196.
A seal designed primarily for the retention of
Oil Seal:
oil.
The change in volume of a rubber material
Oil Swell:
due to absorption of oil.
O-Ring: A torodial shaped seal.
The deviation of the shaft cross section from
a true circle. Out-of-round is measured as the
radial distance, on a polar chart recording,
Out-of-round, Shaft: between concentric, circumscribed, and in-
scribed circles which just contain the trace
and are so centered that the radial distance
is minimized.
P
A deformable material used to prevent or
Packing, Mechani-
control the passage of matter between sur-
cal:
faces which move in relation to each other.
The circumferential displacement between

Pitch, Helix Seal Rib:
adjacent helical ribs of a lip seal.
The degree or rate at which unvulcanized

elastomer and elastomeric compounds will
Plasticity:
flow when subjected to forces of compression,
shear or extrusion.
A material that when incorporated in elasto-

Plasticizer: mer or polymer, will change its hardness, flex-
ibility, processability, and/or plasticity.
The surface texture of shaft or wear sleeve
produced by presenting the grinding wheel
Plunge Ground:
perpendicular to the rotating shaft without
axial motion.
A type of elastomer characterized by an un-
saturated chain and being a copolymer of all-
Polyacrylate:
kyl acrylate and some other monomer such as
chloroethyl vinyl ether or vinyl chloroacetate.
Generic term for an organic compound of
REFERENCE Polymer: high molecular weight and consisting of recur-
rent structural groups.
The ability of certain organic compounds to
Polymerization: react together to form a single molecule of
higher atomic weight.
197.
ESP Catalog 0338
PTFE is a fluoropolymer with excellent thermal

and chemical resistance and low coefficient
Polytetrafluoroeth- of friction. PTFE is usually compounded with fill-
ylene (PTFE): ers such as molybdenum disulfide, graphite,
pigments, and glass fibers to improve wear
characteristics and other properties.
A multitude of minute cavities in the seal ma-
Porosity:
terial.
The axial distance between the seal contact
line and the centerline of the spring groove of
Position, Spring:
a radial lip seal, commonly referred to as the
“R” value.
Precure-Partial The first cure of a material that is given more

Cure: than one cure in its manufacture.
Pressure-Partial The first cure of a material that is given more

Cure: than one cure is its manufacture.
The average pressure necessary for flowing

air at 10.000 cm3/m between the contact sur-
face of a radial lip seal and a shaft-size man-
Pressure, Contact: drel under the following conditions: the seal
case outer diameter clamped to be concen-
tric with the mandrel and the pressurized air
applied to the outside lip surface.
Pressure, Seal Cav-
The pressure of a fluid being sealed.
ity:
The contact pressure which results from the
Pressure, Spring:
spring load.
Term used to describe a PTFE sealing element
PTFE Seal, Lay
with a wide contact pattern on shaft. Often
Down Lip:
used with hydrodynamic features.
A seal utilizing an insert of PTFE bonded to an
PTFE Seal, Line Con- elastomeric back-up material. Shaft contact
tact Lip: is over a narrow area similar to most radial lip
seals.
R
REFERENCE
The average of all peaks and valleys from the
mean line within cut-off (.10” or .254mm). Ra
Ra: does not describe the surface profile (texture)
and two shafts with the same Ra value can
have very different surface characteristics.
198.
The quantity of fluid passing through a seal is
Rate, Leakage:
given length of time.
The force, independent of initial tension, which
Rate, Spring: is required for extending the working length of
a spring a unit distance.
The amount of seal contact surface wear per
Rate, Wear:
unit of time.
A characteristics of an elastomer wherein a
gradual increase in deformation is experi-
Relaxation, Stress:
enced under constant load, after the initial
deformation.
In elastomer or rubber like materials subjected
to and relieved of stress, resilience is the ratio
of energy given up on recovery from the de-
Resilience:
formation to the energy required to produce
the deformation. Resilience for an elastomer is
usually expressed in percent.
The ability of a seal or sealing material to with-
Resistance, Cold:
stand the effects of a low temperature.
The ability of a seal or sealing material to resist
Resistance, Heat: the deteriorating effects of elevated temper-
atures.
The ability of a material to withstand the dete-
Resistance, Ozone:
riorating effects of ozone (surface cracking).
A long, narrow projection which is normally tri-
angular in cross-section and which is molded
into the outside lip surface of a helix seal. It
Rib:
is oriented at an angle to the shaft axis. One
end of the rib forms part of the seal-lip contact
surface.
A trimmed surface with irregularities on the
Rough Trim: outside and inside lip surfaces in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the contact line.
Irregularities in shaft surface texture which re-
Roughness:
sult from the production process.
REFERENCE
Roughness, Axial Surface roughness of a shaft measured in a di-
Surface: rection (plane) normal to the centerline axis.
The period of initial operation during which the
Run-In: seal-lip wear rate is greatest and the contact
surface is developed.
199.
ESP Catalog 0338
Twice the distance the center of the shaft is

displaced from the center of rotation and ex-
Runout, Dynamic: pressed in TIR. That runout to which the seal
lip is subjected due to the outside diameter of
the shaft not rotating in a true circle.
RZ (din): Average peak to valley height.
S
Scoop Trim: A trimmed surface which is concave.
A type of wear in which the working surface is

Scoring:
grooved.
A shallow discontinuity in the seal material

Scratch:
whereby no material is removed.
Metal surface degradation resulting from ad-

Scuffing:
hesive wear.
Design feature of a type of radial lip seal. The

heel of the sealing element is attached (bond-
Seal, Bonded:
ed) to the seal case by an adhesive during the
molding operation.
A rotary shaft seal which seal will seal fluid re-

Seal, Birotational:
gardless of direction of shaft rotation.
A seal which has rotating, oscillation, or recip-

rocating motion between it and its mating sur-
Seal, Dynamic:
face, in contrast to stationary-type seals, such
as a gasket.
An elastomeric hydrodynamic lip seal having

Seal, Helix:
helical ribs on the outside lip surface.
A dynamic sealing device which utilizes the

viscous shear and inertia forces of the fluid,
Seal, Hydrodynam-
imparted by a helically grooved O ribbed seal
ic:
lip, to generate a pressure differential that op-
poses fluid flow.
An elastomeric seal which prevents leakage

in dynamic and static applications by reason
Seal, Lip:
of controlled interference between the seal REFERENCE
lip and the mating surface.
Any material or device that prevents or con-

Seal, Mechanical: trols the passage of matter across the sepa-
rable members of a mechanical assembly.
200.
A seal which exerts radial sealing pressure in
Seal, Radial: order to retain fluids and/or exclude foreign
matter.
A type of seal which features a flexible sealing
member referred to as a lip. The lip is usually of
Seal, Radial Lip: an elastomeric material. It exerts radial sealing
pressure on a mating shaft in order to retain
fluids and/or exclude foreign matter.
Generally considered to be a lip seal or an oil
seal but a broad definition could include any
Seal, Shaft:
sealing device mounted on a shaft or sealing
a shaft.
A seal which has its primary sealing element
split, approximately parallel with the shaft ax-
Seal, Split: ial centerline. Typically used where conven-
tional installation methods are impractical or
impossible.
A seal designed for applications having a sin-

Seal, Unirotational:
gle direction of shaft rotation.
A seal assembly in which all components nec-

Seal, Unitized: essary for accomplishing the complete seal-
ing function are retained in a single package.
A coating applied to the case OD to prevent

Sealer, Case OD: leakage between the seal case and the hous-
ing bore.
The difference in leakage rates of a hydro-
dynamic seal and a nonhydrodynamic seal
Sealing Capacity: when tested on a shaft with a spiral groove
that tends to pump oil out of the sump when
the shaft is rotating.
The portion of a seal lip which is bounded by
the head and heel section of a lip seal. Its pri-
Section, Flex:
mary function is to permit relative motion be-
tween the seal lip and the case.
The portion of a lip seal which is generally de-
REFERENCE Section, Head: fined by the inside and outside lip surface and
the spring groove.
The portion of a lip seal which is attached to
Section, Heel: the seal case and bounded by the flex section
and the outside face.
201.
ESP Catalog 0338
The deformation which remains in rubber af-

ter it has been subject to and released from
a specific percent compression for a definite
Set, Compression: period of time at a prescribed temperature.
Compression set measurements are for the
purpose of evaluating creep and stress relax-
ation properties of rubber.
The residual unrecoverable deformation in an
Set, Permanent: elastomeric part after the load causing the
deformation has been removed.
The outside diameter of the shaft at the loca-
Shaft Diameter:
tion where the seal is mounted.
The relative roughness, usually expressed in
micro inches, of the outside diameter of the
Shaft Finish:
shaft. The smaller the number, the smoother
the finish.
The side of a seal which in normal use faces
Side, Air:
away from the fluid being sealed.
A type of elastomer having a basic polymer of
Silicone: dimethyl polysiloxane, with various attached
vinyl or phenyl groups.
The difference between the maximum and
Slant, Seal: minimum axial dimensions from the seal-lip
contact linen to the outside face of the case.
A replaceable metal ring, generally used in as-
semblies to eliminate expensive shaft replace-
Sleeve, Wear:
ment caused by grooving that may occur at
the seal-shaft interface.
A washer-like device used for imparting radial
momentum to a liquid in order to keep the lat-
Slinger:
ter away from the sealing interface. Often in-
corporated into a wear sleeve.
The linear velocity calculated from the shaft
Speed, Surface: rotational speed using the nominal shaft di-
ameter.
Spiral Trim: A trimmed surface which has a spiral pattern. REFERENCE
The axial distance between the projected in-
tersection of the inside and outside lip surface
Spring Axial Posi-
and centerline of the spring coil diameter
tion:
(center plane of the spring) with the spring in
position and the seal located on the shaft.
202.
A spring consisting of a multiple number or
cantilevered elements located circumferen-
Spring, Finger:
tially on a ring. It can be designed to produce
either a radial or an axial force.
A helically coiled wire with its ends connected
to form a ring. It is used in tension for maintain-
Spring, Garter:
ing a radial sealing force between the sealing
element of a radial lip seal and a shaft.
Shaft to bore misalignment, the amount by
S.T.B.M: which the shaft is off center, with respect to
the bore’s center.
The ability to retain manufactured shape and
Stability, Dimen-
size after having experienced the combina-
sional:
tion of operating stresses and temperatures.
A trimmed surface having a discontinuity per-
Step Trim:
pendicular to the contact line.
A friction related phenomenon where the
sealing element tends to adhere and rotate
with the shaft surface momentarily until the
elastic characteristics of the sealing element
overcome the adhesive force, causing the
Stick, Slip:
seal lip to lose contact with the rotating shaft
long enough to allow leakage. This cycle re-
peats itself continuously and is normally as-
sociated with non-lubricated/boundary lubri-
cated conditions.
The temperature of the fluid contained within
Sump Temperature:
the machinery sump.
The portion of the seal lip which circumferen-
Surface, Contact: tially contacts the shaft to form the seal-shaft
interface.
Surface Contami-
Foreign matter on the seal surface.
nation:
The inside truncated conical surface of the lip,
Surface, Inside Lip: the minor diameter of which terminates at the
contact point.
REFERENCE The outside truncated conical surface of the
Surface, Outside
lip, the minor diameter of which terminates at
Lip:
the contact point.
The linear velocity calculated from the shaft
Surface Speed: rotational speed, using the nominal shaft di-
ameter.
203.
ESP Catalog 0338
Surface, Trimmed The lip surface formed by a knife cutting op-

Seal: eration to develop the contact line.
Synthetic elastomers made by polymerization
Synthetic Rubber:
of one or more monomers.
T
The removal or separation of a portion of the
Tear:
sealing element.
The property of an elastomeric material to re-
Tear Resistance:
sist tearing forces.
Tensile Strength, The force per unit of original cross-sectional
Ultimate: area at the moment of a specimen rupture.
Tension, Initial The “preload” that has been wound into the
Spring: coils of a spring during the coiling operation.
Any set of test conditions designed to repro-
Test, Accelerated
duce in a short time the effects obtained un-
Life:
der service conditions.
A laboratory test in which the functional op-
erating conditions are approximated, but the
Test, Bench: equipment is conventional laboratory equip-
ment and not necessarily identical with that in
which the product will be used.
A test performed in the actual environment in
Test, Field:
which the product will be used.
A laboratory method used to evaluate the re-
Test, Flex:
sistance of a material to repeated bending.
A laboratory procedure used to determine
that period of operation which a component
Test, Life:
or assembly will operate until it no longer per-
forms its intended function.
A term used to describe the quality, appear-
Texture, Shaft Sur- ance or characteristic of the shaft surface re-
face: sulting from operations, such a grinding, pol-
ishing, burnishing and so on.
In a dynamic seal, the distance separating
Thickness, Film: REFERENCE
the two surfaces which form the primary seal.
The removal of the superfluous parts from a
Trim: molded product, usually removal of parting
line flash or feed sprues.
204.
Trim, Crooked: See Slant, Seal.
Irregularities on the outside and inside lip sur-
Trim, Rough: faces in the immediate vicinity of the contact
line.
U
Flash which does not properly adhere to the
Unbonded Flash: mating material to which it is intended to be
bonded.
Under Cure: A degree of cure less than desired.
Underlip Tempera- The temperature of the oil between the un-

ture: derlip and sump temperature.
Underlip Tempera- The difference between the underlip and

ture Rise: sump temperature.
Unsprung Interfer- The difference between the shaft diameter

ence: and the unsprung lip diameter.
V
Value “R”: See position, Spring.
The difference in the contact line height as

Variation, Contact measured at any two points on the contact
Line Height: line. Maximum contact line height variation is
defined as seal slant.
The difference between the minimum and

Variation, Radial
maximum radial wall dimensions when mea-
Wall:
sured around 360 degrees of the lip seal.
A vibration which has a circumferential angu-

Vibration, Torsional: lar direction. It is often generated by a stick-
slip action between mating seal faces.
Increase in physical size caused by the swell-

Volume Swell: ing action of a liquid, generally expressed as a
percent of the original volume.
An irreversible process during which a rubber

compound, through a change in its chemical
REFERENCE
structure, becomes less plastic and more re-
Vulcanization: sistant to swelling by organic liquids and the
elastic properties are confined, improved or
extended over a greater range of tempera-
ture.
205.
ESP Catalog 0338
W
A flat, metal, washer-type ring which has been
Washer, Bonded: molded in place in the elastomeric material
forming one of the sealing elements.
Weepage: A minute amount of liquid leakage by a seal.
A formation of a continuous film of a liquid on

Wetting:
a surface.
Width, Case: The total axial width of the seal case.
The width of the lip contact area of a radial lip

Width, Contact:
seal, measured in the axial direction.
The axial width of that portion of the contact

surface of a helix seal which is formed by the
Width, Helix Con-
helical ribs. It is equal to the total axial width
tact:
of the contact surface minus the width of the
static lip.
Width, Helix Seal The maximum width of a helical rib measured

Rib: perpendicular to the rib’s longitudinal axis.
Width, Static Lip The axial width of the contact surface devel-
Contact: oped by a static lip.
The tendency of a garter spring with ends as-

sembled together to deform from a flat sur-
Wind-Up, Spring:
face. Excessive spring wind-up results in the
spring forming a figure “8” configuration.
FLUID COMPATIBILITY
Materials react in different ways depending on the fluid where
they are immersed, the next table shows the compatibility of Nitrile,
Polyacrylate, Silicon and Fluorocarbon with different fluids.
REFERENCE
206.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
1-Butene, 2 Ethyl 1 -- 4 1
1-Chloro-1-Nitro Ethane 4 4 4 4
51-F-23 1 1 3 1
Acetaldehyde 4 4 2 4
Acetamide 1 4 2 2
Acetic Acid, Glacial 3 4 2 3
Acetic Acid, 30% 2 4 1 2
Acetic Acid, 5% 2 -- 1 1
Acetic Acid, hot high pressure 4 -- 4 4
Acetic Anhydride 3 4 3 4
Acetone 4 4 3 4
Acetophenone 4 4 4 4
Acetyl Acetone 4 -- 4 4
Acetyl Chloride 4 4 3 1
Acetylene 1 4 2 1
Acetylene Tetrabomide 4 -- -- 1
Acrylonitrile 4 4 4 3
Adipic Acid 1 -- -- --
Aero Lubriplate 1 -- 2 1
Aero Safe 2300 4 -- 4 4
Aero Safe 2300W 4 -- 4 4
Aero Shell 17 grease 1 -- 2 1
Aero Shell 750 2 -- 4 1
Aero Shell 7A grease 1 -- 2 1
Aero Shell IAC 1 -- 2 1
Aerozene 50 (50% Hydrazine, 50% UDMH) 4 -- 4 4
Air above 300 F 4 -- 1 1
Air below 300 F 2 -- 1 1
Alkazene (Dibromoethylbenzene) 4 4 4 2
Alum-NH3-Cr_K (aq) 1 4 1 4
Aluminum Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Aluminum Bromide 1 -- 1 1
REFERENCE
Lip Codes: N = Nitrile P = Polyacrylate S = Silicon F = Fluorocarbon
Ratings: 1 = Minor Affect 2 = Moderate Affect 3 = Static Only 4 = Not Recommended

-- = Insufficient Data (AQ) = Aqueous
207.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Aluminum Chloride (AG) 1 1 2 1
Aluminum Fluoride (AQ) 1 -- 2 1
Aluminum Nitrate (AQ) 1 -- 2 1
Aluminum Phosphate (AQ) 1 -- 1 1
Aluminum salts 1 -- 1 1
Aluminum Sulfate(AQ) 1 4 1 1
Ambrex 33 mobile 1 -- 4 1
Ammonia and Lithium in solution 2 -- 4 4
Ammonia, Anhydrous 2 4 3 4
Ammonia gas (cold) 1 4 1 4
Ammonia gas (hot) 4 4 1 4
Ammonium Carbonate (AQ) 4 4 -- --
Ammonium Chloride (AQ) 1 -- -- 1
Ammonium Hydroxide (conc.) 4 4 1 2
Ammonium Nitrate (AQ) 1 2 -- --
Ammonium Nitrite (AQ) 1 -- 2 --
Ammonium Persulfate (AQ) 4 4 -- --
Ammonium Persulfate 10% 4 -- -- --
Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic Am- 1 -- 1 --
monium Phosphate
Monobasic 1 -- 1 --
Ammonium Phosphate Tribasic 1 -- 1 --
Ammonium Phosphate (AQ) 1 -- 1 --
Ammonium salts 1 -- 1 4
Ammonium Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 -- 4
Ammonium Sulfide 1 -- -- 4
Amyl Acetate (banana oil) 4 4 4 4
Amyl Alcohol 2 4 4 2
Amyl Borate 1 -- -- 1
Amyl Chloride -- -- 4 1
Amyl Chloronaphthalene 4 4 4 1
REFERENCE

208.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Amyl Naphthalene 4 2 4 1
AN-O-3 Grade M 1 -- 2 1
AN-O-366 1 -- 4 1
AN-O-6 1 -- 4 1
AN-W-O-366B Hydr. Fluid 1 -- 4 1
Anderol L-774 (MIL-L-7808D) 2 4 1 1
Anderol L-826 (Diester) 2 -- 4 1
Anderol L-829 (Diester) 2 -- 4 1
ANG (Diester base) (TG749) 2 -- 2 1
ANG (Glyceral Ester) 2 -- 2 1
Anhydrous Ammonia 2 -- 2 4
Anhydrous Hydrazine 4 -- -- 4
Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride 4 -- -- 4
Aniline 4 4 4 3
Aniline dyes 4 4 3 2
Aniline Hydrochloride 2 4 4 2
Aniline oils 4 -- 4 4
Animal fats (butter) 1 1 2 1
Ansul Ether (Anesthetics) 3 4 4 4
API GL-5 2 1 4 1
Aqua Regia 4 4 4 2
Argon 4 -- 2 1
Aroclor 1248 3 4 2 1
Aroclor 1254 4 4 3 1
Aroclor 1260 1 4 2 1
Aromatic fuel 50% 2 -- 4 1
Arsenic Acid 1 3 1 1
Arsenic Trichloride (AQ) 1 -- -- --
Askrel 2 4 4 1
Asphalt 2 2 4 1
REFERENCE ASTM #1 Method D-471 1 1 3 1

209.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
ASTM #2 Method D-471 1 1 3 1
ASTM #3 Method D-471 1 1 3 1
ASTM #4 Method D-471 2 -- 4 1
ASTM Reference Fuel A (MIL-S-3136B 1 2 4 1
Type 1)
ASTM Reference Fuel B (MIL-S-3136B 1 -- 4 1
Type 3)
ASTM Reference Fuel C 2 4 4 1
ATF Type (Mercon) 1 1 1 1
ATF Type A 1 1 2 1
ATF Type F 1 1 2 1
ATF Type I 1 1 2 1
ATF Type II 1 1 2 1
ATL-857 2 -- 4 1
Atlantic Dominion 1 -- 4 1
Aurex 903R Mobile 1 -- 4 1
Automotive brake fluid 4 -- 4 4
B.P. Aero Hydraulic Fluid #1 (DTD585) -- -- -- 1
Banana oil (Amyl Acetate) 4 4 4 4
Bardol 4 -- 4 1
Barium Chloride (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Barium Hydroxide (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Barium Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Barium Sulfide (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Beer 1 4 1 1
Beer sugar liquors 1 4 1 1
Bel Ray SE 140 1 -- -- 1
Bel Ray SE 290 2 -- -- 4
Benzaldehyde 4 4 2 4
Benzene 4 4 4 2
Benzene sulfonic acid 4 4 4 1
REFERENCE

210.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Benzine (Ligroin) (Nitrobenzine) 1 1 4 1
Benzine (Pet Ether) 1 1 4 1
Benzoic acid 3 3 3 1
Benzophenone -- -- -- 1
Benzoyl Chloride 4 4 -- 1
Benzyl Alcohol 4 4 2 1
Benzyl Benzoate 4 4 -- 1
Benzyl Chloride 4 4 4 1
Biphenyl (Diphenyl) (Phenylbenzene) 4 4 4 1
Black Point 77 1 -- 4 1
Black Sulphate liquors 2 -- 2 1
Blast furnace gas 4 4 1 1
Bleach solutions 4 4 2 1
Borax 2 2 2 1
Bordeaux mixture 2 4 2 1
Boric Acid 1 4 1 1
Boron fluids (HEF) 2 -- 4 1
Brake fluid (non-Petroleum) 4 -- 4 4
Brake fluid (Wagner 21B) 3 -- 3 4
Bray GG-130 2 -- 4 1
Brayco 719-R (W-H-910) 4 -- 2 4
Brayco 885 (MIL-L-6085A) 2 -- 4 1
Brayco 910 2 -- 4 4
Bret 710 2 -- 4 4
Brine 1 4 1 1
BP, ISO 220 Mineral Oil, PM-220 1 1 2 1
Brom-113 4 -- 4 --
Brom-114 2 -- 4 2
Bromine 4 -- 4 1
Bromine Trifluoride 4 4 4 4
REFERENCE Bromine Water 4 4 4 1

211.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Bromine-Anhydrous 4 4 4 1
Bromine-Pentafluoride 4 -- 4 4
Bromobenzene 4 4 4 1
Bromochloro Trifluroethane 4 -- 4 1
Bunker oil 1 1 2 1
Butadiene 4 4 4 1
Butane 1 1 4 1
Butane 2, 2-Dimethyl 1 -- 4 1
Butane 2, 3-Dimethyl 1 -- 4 1
Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) 1 -- 2 1
Butter (animal fat) 1 1 2 1
Butyl Acetate 4 4 4 4
Butyl Acetyl Ricinoleate 3 -- -- 1
Butyl Acrylate 4 4 -- 4
Butyl Alcohol 1 4 2 1
Butyl Amine 3 4 4 4
Butyl Benzoate 4 4 -- 1
Butyl Butyrate 4 -- -- 1
Butyl Carbitol 4 4 4 1
Butyl Cellosolve 3 4 -- 4
Butyl Cellosolve Adipate 4 -- 2 2
Butyl Ether 4 -- 4 4
Butyl Oleate 4 -- -- 1
Butyl Stearate 2 -- -- 1
Butylene 2 4 4 1
Butylaldehyde 4 4 4 4
Butyric Acid 4 -- -- 2
Calcine liquors 1 -- -- 1
Calcium Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Calcium Bisulfate (AQ) 4 4 1 1
Calcium Carbonate 1 -- 1 1 REFERENCE

212.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Calcium Chloride (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Calcium Cynide 1 -- 1 --
Calcium Hydroxide (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Calcium Hypochloride 4 -- -- 1
Calcium Hypochlorite (AQ) 2 4 2 1
Calcium Nitrate (AQ) 1 1 2 1
Calcium Phosphate 1 -- 1 1
Calcium salts 1 -- -- 1
Calcium Sulfide (AQ) 1 4 2 1
Calcium Sulfite 1 -- 1 1
Calcium Thiosulphate 2 -- 1 1
Caliche liquors 1 -- 2 1
Cane sugar liquors 1 4 1 1
Caporic Aldehyde -- -- 2 4
Carbamate 3 4 -- 1
Carbitol 2 4 2 2
Carbolic Acid (Phenol) 4 4 4 1
Carbon Bisulfide 3 3 4 1
Carbon Dioxide (wet or dry) 1 -- 2 1
Carbon Disulfide 4 -- -- 1
Carbon Monoxide 1 -- 1 1
Carbon Tetrachloride 3 4 4 1
Carbonic Acid 2 -- 1 1
Castor oil 1 1 1 1
Caustic soda 2 3 2 2
Cellosolve 4 4 4 3
Cellosolve Acetate 4 4 4 4
Cellosolve Butyl 4 -- 4 4
Celluguard 1 -- 1 1
Cellulube (Fryquel) 4 4 1 1
REFERENCE Cellulube 220 (see MIL-L-19457) 4 4 3 3

213.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Cellulube 90, 100, 150, 220, 300, 500 4 -- 1 1
Cellutherm 2505A 2 -- 4 1
Cetane (Hexadecane) 1 -- 4 1
China wood oil (Tung oil) 1 -- 4 1
Chloracatic Acid 4 -- -- 4
Chlorextol 2 -- 4 1
Chlorinated salt Brine 4 -- 4 1
Chlorinated solvents (wet or dry) 4 -- 4 1
Chlorine (dry) 4 4 4 1
Chlorine (wet) 4 4 4 1
Chlorine Dioxide 4 4 -- 1
Chlorine Trifluoride 4 4 4 4
Chloroacetic Acid 4 4 -- 4
Chloroacetone 4 4 4 4
Chlorobenzene 4 4 4 1
Chlorobenzene (Mono) 4 -- 4 1
Chlorobromomethane 4 4 4 1
Chlorobutadiene 4 4 4 1
Chlorodane 2 -- 4 1
Chlorododecane 4 4 4 1
Chloroform 4 4 4 1
Chlorosulfonic Acid 4 4 4 4
Chlorotoluene 4 4 4 1
Chlorox (Sodium Hypochlorite NAOC1) 2 4 2 1
Chrom Alum 1 -- 1 1
Chrome plating solutions 4 4 2 1
Chromic Acid 4 4 3 1
Chromic Oxide .88 Wt. % Aqueous Sol 4 -- 2 1
Circo light processing oil 1 -- 4 1
Citric Acid 1 -- 1 1
City Service #'s 65, 120, 250 1 -- 4 1 REFERENCE

214.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
City Service Kool Motor-AP gear oil 1 -- 4 1
City Service Pacemaker #2 1 -- 4 1
CM Coolant #5 1 -- -- --
Coal Tar (Creosote) 1 1 4 1
Cobalt Chloride (2N) 1 -- 1 1
Cobalt Chloride (AQ) 1 4 2 1
Coconut oil 1 1 1 1
Cod liver oil 1 1 2 1
Coffee (basically water) 1 -- -- 1
Coke oven gas 4 4 2 1
Coliche liquors 2 -- -- --
Convelex 10 4 -- 4 --
Coolanol (Monsanto) 1 -- 4 1
Coolanol 45 (Monsanto) 1 -- 4 1
Copper Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Copper Chloride (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Copper Cyanide (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Copper salts 1 -- 1 1
Copper Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Copper Sulfate 10% 1 -- 1 1
Copper Sulfate 50% 1 -- 1 1
Corn oil 1 1 1 1
Cottonseed oil 1 1 1 1
Creosote (coal tar) 1 1 4 1
Creosote (wood) 1 -- 4 1
Cresol 4 4 4 1
Cresylic Acid 4 4 4 1
Crude oil 2 -- 4 1
Cumene 4 4 4 1
Cutting oil 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE Cyclohexane 1 1 4 1

215.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Cyclohexanol 3 -- 4 1
Cyclohexanone 4 4 4 1
DC44M (Dow Corning) 3 3 3 1
DC44M hi temp Silicone grease 3 3 3 1
Decalin 4 -- 4 1
Decane 1 1 2 1
Delco brake fluid 4 -- 4 4
Denatured Alcohol 1 4 1 1
Detergent solutions 1 4 1 1
Developing fluids 1 -- 1 1
Dextron 1 -- 4 1
Di-Ester lubricant (MIL_L-7808) 2 -- 4 1
Di-Ester synethic lubricant 2 -- 4 1
Diacetone 4 4 4 4
Diacetone Alcohol 4 4 2 4
Diazion 4 -- 4 2
Dibenzyl Ether 4 -- -- 4
Dibenzyl Sebecate 4 4 3 2
Dibromoethylbenzene (Alkazene) 4 4 4 2
Dibutyl Amine 4 4 3 4
Dibutyl Ether 4 3 4 3
Dibutyl Phthalate 4 4 2 3
Dibutyl Sebecate 4 4 2 2
Dichloro-Butane 2 -- 4 1
Dichloro-Isopropyl Ether 4 3 4 3
Dicyclohexylamine 3 4 -- 4
Diesel fuel 1 1 4 1
Diethyl Benzene 4 -- 4 1
Diethyl ether 4 3 4 4
Diethyl Sebecate 2 4 2 2
Diethylamine 2 4 2 4 REFERENCE

216.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Diethylene Glycol 1 2 2 1
Difluorodibromomethane 4 -- 4 --
Diisobutylene 2 4 4 1
Diisooctyl Sebacate 4 -- 4 2
Diisopropyl Benzene 4 -- -- 1
Diisopropyl Ketone 4 4 4 4
Diisopropylidene Acetone (Phorone) 4 4 4 4
Dimethyl Aniline (Xylidine) 3 4 4 4
Dimethyl Disulfite (DMS) 4 4 4 4
Dimethyl Ether (Methyl Ether) 3 4 4 4
Dimethyl Ether (Monomethyl Ether) 1 4 1 1
Dimether Formamide 2 4 2 4
Dimethyl Phthalate 4 4 -- 2
Dinitrotolene 4 4 4 4
Dioctyl Phthalate 3 4 3 2
Dioctyl Sebecate 4 4 3 2
Dioxane 4 4 4 4
Dioxolane 4 4 4 4
Dipentene 2 4 4 1
Diphenyl (Biphenyl) (Phenybenzene) 4 4 4 1
Diphenyl oxides 4 4 3 1
DMS (Dimethyl Disulfite) 4 4 4 4
Dow chemical 50-4 -- -- -- 4
Dow chemical ET378 4 -- 4 --
Dow chemical ET588 4 -- -- 4
Dow Corning-11 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE Dow Corning-33 1 -- 4 1

217.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Dow Corning-705 2 -- -- 1
Dow Corning-F60 1 -- 4 1
Dow Corning-F61 1 -- 2 1
Dow Corning-XF61 1 -- 4 1
Dow Guard 1 -- 1 1
Dowtherm 209, 50% solution 4 -- 4 4
Dowtherm A or E 4 -- 4 1
Dowtherm oil 4 4 3 1
Drinking water (see note re. water) 1 -- 1 1
Dry cleaning fluids 3 4 4 1
Elco 28-EP lubricant 1 -- 4 1
Engine oil (Diester motor oil) 2 1 1 1
Engine oil (Hydrocarbon motor oil) 1 1 1 1
EP lubes 2 1 4 1
Epichlorohydrin 4 4 4 4
Epoxy resins -- -- -- 4
ESAM-6 fluid -- -- -- 4
Esso fuel 208 1 -- 4 1
Esso golden gasoline 2 -- 4 1
Esso GX 80W90 (GL-5) 2 1 4 1
Esso motor oil 1 -- 4 1 REFERENCE

218.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Esso transmission fluid (Type A) 1 -- 4 1
Esso WS3812 (MIL-L-7808) 1 -- 4 1
Esso XP90 EP lubricant 1 -- 4 1
Esstic 42,43 1 -- 4 1
Esters 4 -- 4 4
Ethane 1 -- 4 1
Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) 1 4 1 3
Ethanolamine 2 4 2 4
Ethyl Acetate 4 4 2 4
Ethyl Acetate-organic Ester 4 -- 2 4
Ethyl Acetoacetate 4 4 2 4
Ethyl Acrylate 4 4 2 4
Ethyl Acrylic Acid 4 -- 4 --
Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) 1 4 1 3
Ethyl Benzene 4 4 4 1
Ethyl Benzoate 4 4 4 1
Ethyl Bromide 2 -- 4 1
Ethyl Cellosolve 4 4 4 4
Ethyl Cellulose 2 4 3 4
Ethyl Chloride 1 4 4 1
Ethyl Chlorocarbonate 4 4 4 1
Ethyl Chloroformate 4 4 4 4
Ethyl Cyclopentane 1 -- 4 1
Ethyl Ether 3 4 4 4
Ethyl Formate 4 -- -- 1
Ethyl Hexanol 1 -- 2 1
Ethyl Mercapton 4 -- 3 2
Ethyl Oxalate 4 4 4 1
Ethyl Pentachlorobenzene 4 4 4 1
Ethyl Silicate 1 -- -- 1
REFERENCE Ethylene 1 -- -- 1

219.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Ethylene Chloride 4 4 4 2
Ethylene Chlorohydrin 4 4 3 1
Ethylene Diamine 1 4 1 4
Ethylene Dibromide 4 -- 4 1
Ethylene Dichloride 4 4 4 1
Ethylene Glycol 1 3 1 1
Ethylene Oxide 4 4 4 4
Ethylene Trichloride 4 4 4 1
Ethylmorpholene Stannus Octate 50/50 4 -- -- 4
Fatty Acids 2 -- 3 1
FC-43 Heptacosofluorotributylamine 1 -- 1 1
FC75 Fluorocarbon 1 -- 1 2
Ferric Chloride (AQ) 1 1 2 1
Ferric Nitrate (AQ) 1 1 3 1
Ferric Sulfate (AQ) 1 1 2 1
Fish oil 1 -- 1 1
Fluorine (liquid) 4 4 4 2
Fluorobenzene 4 4 4 1
Fluoroboric Acid 1 -- -- --
Fluorolube 1 -- 1 2
Formaldehyde (RT) 3 4 2 4
Formaldehyde, 37% 3 4 2 1
Formic Acid 2 -- -- 3
Freon 11 2 -- -- 1
Freon 112 3 -- 4 1
Freon 113 1 -- 4 2
Freon 114 1 -- 4 2
Freon 114B2 2 -- 4 2
Freon 115 1 -- -- 2
Freon 12 1 1 4 2
Freon 12 and ASTM #2 oil (50/50) 1 -- 4 1 REFERENCE

220.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Freon 12 and Suniso 4G (50/50) 1 -- 4 1
Freon 13 1 -- 4 1
Freon 134A 4 4 4 4
Freon 13B1 1 -- 4 1
Freon 14 1 -- 4 1
Freon 142B 1 -- -- 4
Freon 152A 1 -- -- 4
Freon 21 4 -- 4 4
Freon 218 1 -- -- 1
Freon 22 4 4 4 4
Freon 22 and ASTM #2 oil (50/50) 4 -- 4 2
Freon 31 4 -- -- 4
Freon 32 1 -- -- 4
Freon 502 2 -- -- 2
Freon BF 2 -- 4 1
Freon C316 1 -- -- --
Freon C318 1 -- -- 2
Freon MF 1 -- 4 2
Freon PCA 1 -- 4 2
Freon T-P35 1 -- 1 1
Freon T-WD602 2 -- 4 1
Freon TA 1 -- 3 3
Freon TC 1 -- 4 1
Freon TF 1 -- 4 2
Freon TMC 2 -- 3 1
Fuel oil 1 1 4 1
Fuel oil #6 2 -- 4 1
Fuel oil, acidic 1 -- 4 1
Fumaric Acid 1 4 2 1
Fuming Sulphuric Acid (20/25% Oleum) 4 -- 4 1
REFERENCE Furan, Furfuran 4 4 -- --

221.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Furaryl Alcohol 4 -- 4 --
Furfural 4 4 4 4
Furfuraldehyde 4 -- 4 4
Fyrquel (Cellulube) 4 -- 1 1
Fyrquel 90, 100, 150, 220, 300, 500 4 -- 1 1
Fyrquel A60 4 -- 4 4
Gallic Acid 2 4 -- 1
Gasohol (10% Ethanol or Methanol) 2 4 4 3
Gasoline (lead and no-lead) 2 4 4 1
Gelatin 1 4 1 1
Girling brake fluid 4 -- 4 4
Glacial Acetic Acid 2 -- 2 4
Glauber's salt (AQ) 4 4 -- 1
Glucose 1 -- 1 1
Glue 1 -- 1 1
Glycerin 1 3 1 1
Grease 1 2 1 1
Green Sulfate liquor 2 2 1 1
Gulf endurance oils 1 -- 4 1
Gulf FR fluids (emulsion) 1 -- 4 1
Gulf FRG fluids 1 -- 1 1
Gulf FRP fluids 4 -- 1 2
Gulf harmony oils 1 -- 4 1
Gulf high temperature grease 1 -- 4 1
Gulf legion oils 1 -- 4 1
Gulf paramount oils 1 -- 4 1
Gulf security oils 1 -- 4 1
Gulfcrown grease 1 -- 4 1
Halothane 4 -- 4 1
Halowax oil 4 -- 4 1
Hannifin Lube A 1 -- 2 1
REFERENCE

222.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Heavy water (Deturium) 1 -- 1 1
Hef (high energy fuel) 2 -- 4 1
Helium 1 1 1 1
Hexane 1 1 4 1
Hexyl alcohol 1 4 2 1
High viscosity lubricant, H2 1 -- 1 1
High viscosity lubricant, U4 1 -- 1 1
Hilo MS #1 4 -- 4 4
Houghto-Safe 1010, Phosphate Ester 4 -- 4 1
Houghto-Safe 271 H20 and Glycol base 1 -- 2 2
Houghto-Safe 5040, water/oil emulsion 1 -- 4 1
Houghto-Safe 620 water/glycol 1 -- 2 2
Hydraulic oil (Petroleum) 1 1 3 1
Hydrazine 2 -- 3 4
Hydro-Driv, MIH-10 (Petroleum base) 1 -- 2 1
Hydro-Driv, MIH-50 (Petroleum base) 1 -- 2 1
Hydrobromic Acid 4 4 4 1
Hydrobromic Acid 40% 4 4 4 1
Hydrocarbons (saturated) 1 -- 4 1
Hydrochloric Acid (cold) 37% 3 4 3 1
Hydrochloric Acid (hot) 37% 4 4 4 2
Hydrochloric Acid 3 molar 4 -- 4 1
Hydrocyanic Acid 2 4 3 1
Hydrofluoric Acid (conc.) cold 4 4 4 1
Hydrofluoric Acid (conc.) hot 4 4 4 3
Hydrofluoric Acid, Anhydrous 4 4 4 4
Hydrofluorsilicic 1 -- 4 1
(Fluosilicic) Acid 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE Hydrogen gas 1 2 3 1

223.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Hydrogen Peroxide (90%) 4 4 2 2
Hydrogen Sulfide (wet) cold 4 4 3 4
Hydrogen Sulfide (wet) hot 4 4 3 4
Hydrolube-water/Ethylene Glycol 1 -- 2 1
Hydroquinone 3 4 -- 2
Hydyne 2 -- 4 4
Hyjet 4 -- -- 4
Hyjet III 4 -- -- 4
Hyjet S 4 -- -- 4
Hyjet W 4 -- -- 4
Hypochlorous Acid 4 4 -- 1
Isopropyl Acetate 4 4 4 4
Industron FF44 1 -- 4 1
Iodine 2 -- -- 1
Iodine Pentafluoride 4 4 4 4
ISO-Butyl N-Butyrate 4 -- -- 1
Isobutyl Alcohol 2 4 1 1
Isododecane 1 -- 4 1
Isooctane 1 1 4 1
Isophorone 4 4 4 4
Isopropanol 2 -- 1 1
Isopropyl Acetate 4 4 4 4
Isopropyl Alcohol 2 4 1 1
Isopropyl Chloride 4 4 4 1
Isopropyl Ether 2 3 4 4
JP3, JP4, JP5 (see MIL-J-5624G) 1 2 4 1
JP6 (see MIL-F-25656B) 1 -- 4 1
JPX (see MIL-F-25604) 1 -- 4 4 REFERENCE

224.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
KEL-F liquids 1 -- 1 2
Kerosene 1 1 4 1
Keystone #87 HX-grease 1 -- 4 1
Keystone (KSL) Diester lube 2 -- -- 1
Krytox, LVP (Dupont) 1 1 1 1
Lacquer solvents 4 4 4 4
Lacquers 4 4 4 4
Lactams-Amino Acids 4 -- -- 4
Lacquer solvents 4 4 4 4
Lactic Acid (cold) 1 4 1 1
Lactic Acid (hot) 4 4 2 1
Lard 1 1 2 1
Lavender oil 2 2 4 1
Lead Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Lead Nitrate (AQ) 1 -- 2 --
Lead Sulfamate (AQ) 2 4 2 1
Legroin (Benzine) 1 1 4 1
Legroin (Nitrobenzine) 1 1 4 1
Legroin (Pet Ether) 1 1 4 1
Lehigh X1169 1 -- 4 1
Lehigh X1170 1 -- 4 1
Light grease 1 -- 4 1
Lime bleach 1 4 2 1
Lime Sulfur 4 4 4 1
Lime water (Calcium Hydroxide-AQ) 1 4 1 1
Lindol (Hydraulic fluid) 4 4 2 2
Linoleic Acid 2 -- 1 2
Linseed oil 1 1 -- 1
Liquefied Petroleum gas 1 3 1 1
Liquid Oxygen 4 -- 4 4
REFERENCE Lubricating oils (Di-Ester) 1 -- 4 1

225.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Lubricating oils (Petroleum) 1 1 4 1
Lye 2 3 2 2
Magnesium Chloride (AQ) 1 -- 1 1
Magnesium Hydroxide (AQ) 2 4 -- 1
Magnesium salts 1 -- 1 1
Magnesium sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Magnesium Sulfite 1 -- 1 1
Malathion 2 -- 4 1
Maleic Acid 4 4 -- 1
Maleic Anhydride 4 4 -- 4
Malic Acid 1 4 2 1
MCS 312 4 -- 1 1
MCS 352,463 4 -- 4 1
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) 4 4 4 4
Mercury 1 -- -- 1
Mercury Chloride (AQ) 1 -- -- 1
Mercury vapors 1 -- -- 1
Mesityl oxide 4 4 4 4
Methane 1 1 4 2
Methane, Sulfurated (odor detection) 1 1 4 2
Menthanol (Methyl Alcohol) 1 4 1 4
Methyl Acetate 4 4 4 4
Methyl Acetoacetate 4 -- 2 4
Methyl Acetone 4 4 3 4
Methyl Acrylate 4 4 4 4
Methyl Alcohol (Ethanol) 1 4 1 4
Methyl Benzoate 4 -- 4 1
Methyl Bromide 2 3 -- 1
Methyl Butyl Ketone (Propyl Acetone) 4 4 3 4
Methyl Carbonate 4 -- 4 1
Methyl Cellosolve 3 4 4 4 REFERENCE

226.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Methyl Cellulose 2 -- 2 4
Methyl Chloride 4 4 4 2
Methyl Chloroformate 4 -- 4 1
Methyl Cyclopentane 4 4 4 2
Methyl D-Bromide 4 -- 4 1
Methyl Ether (Dimethyl Ether) 1 4 1 1
Methyl Ether (Monomethyl Ether) 1 4 1 1
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) 4 4 4 4
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide 4 -- 2 4
Methyl Formate 4 -- -- --
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone 4 4 4 4
Methyl Methacrylate 4 4 4 4
Methyl Oleate 4 -- -- 2
Methyl Salicylate 4 -- -- --
Methylacrylic Acid 4 4 4 4
Methylene Chloride 4 4 4 2
Methylene Dichloride 4 -- 4 2
MIL-1-8660 B 1 -- 4 1
MIL-A-6091 2 -- 1 1
MIL-A-8243 B 1 3 2 2
MIL-C-4339 C 1 1 3 1
MIL-C-5545 A 2 2 4 1
MIL-C-6529 C 2 2 4 1
Mil-C-8188 C 1 3 3 1
MIL-E-9500 1 -- 1 1
MIL-F-16884 1 -- 4 1
MIL-F-16929 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-F-17111 1 1 3 1
MIL-F-19605 1 -- 4 1
MIL-F-25172 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE MIL-F-25524 A 1 -- 4 1

227.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
MIL-F-25558 B (RJ-1) 1 1 3 1
MIL-F-25576 C (RP-1) 1 1 4 1
MIL-F-25656 B 1 -- 4 1
MIL-F-5566 1 -- 1 1
MIL-F-5602 1 1 3 1
MIL-F-7024 A 1 2 4 1
MIL-G-10924 1 1 4 1
MIL-G-10924 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-15793 1 3 3 1
MIL-G-18709 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-2108 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-23827 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-G-25013 D 1 2 4 1
MIL-G-25537 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-25760 A 1 3 4 1
MIL-G-27343 1 -- 4 1
MIL-G-27617 4 -- 4 1
MIL-G-3278 2 -- 4 1
MIL-G-4343 B 2 1 4 1
MIL-G-7118 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-G-7187 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-7421 A 1 -- 3 1
MIL-G-7711 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-G-81322 2 -- -- --
MIL-H-13862 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-13866 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-13910 B 2 2 4 1
MIL-H-13919 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-19457 B 4 4 3 3
MIL-H-22072 1 3 2 2
MIL-H-22251 2 -- 4 -- REFERENCE

228.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
MIL-H-25598 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-27601 A 2 2 4 1
MIL-H-46001 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-46004 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-5559 A 1 3 2 2
MIL-H-5606 B red oil 1 1 4 1
MIL-H-6083 C 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-7083 A 1 3 2 2
MIL-H-7644 2 2 4 1
MIL-H-81019 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-H-8446 B (MLO-8515) 2 3 4 1
MIL-I-27686 D 1 3 2 2
MIL-J-5161 F 1 -- 4 1
MIL-J-5624 G JP-3, JP-4, JP-5 1 2 4 1
MIL-L-10295 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-10324 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-11734 B 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-14107 B 3 -- 4 1
MIL-L-15016 1 -- 4 1
MIL-L-15017 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-15018 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-15019 C 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-15719 A 2 2 4 1
MIL-L-16958 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-17331 D 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-17353 A 1 -- 3 1
MIL-L-17672 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-18486 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-19457 4 4 3 3
MIL-L-19701 1 3 3 1
REFERENCE MIL-L-2104 B 1 1 3 1

229.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
MIL-L-2105 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-2105 C (API GL-5) 2 1 4 1
MIL-L-21260 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-22396 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-23699 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-25336 B 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-25681 C 1 2 4 1
MIL-L-25968 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-26087 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-27694 A 1 -- 4 1
MIL-L-3150 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-3503 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-3545 B 2 2 4 1
MIL-L-46000 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-46002 1 -- 3 1
MIL-L-5020 A 1 2 4 1
MIL-L-5606 1 1 4 1
MIL-L-6082 A 1 1 1 1
MIL-L-6082 C 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-6085 A 1 3 3 1
MIL-L-6086 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-6387 A 1 -- 3 1
MIL-L-644 B 1 2 3 --
MIL-L-7645 2 2 4 1
MIL-L-7808 D 2 4 1 1
MIL-L-7808 E 2 4 1 2
MIL-L-7808 F 2 3 1 1
MIL-L-7870 A 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-8383 B 1 1 3 1
MIL-L-9000 F 1 2 4 1
MIL-L-9236 B 1 3 4 1 REFERENCE

230.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
MIL-O-11773 1 3 3 1
MIL-O-6081 C 1 1 3 1
MIL-P-12098 2 2 4 1
MIL-P-46046 A 2 2 4 1
MIL-S-21568 A 1 1 4 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type 1 1 2 4 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type II 1 -- 4 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type III 1 -- 4 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type IV 1 1 3 1
MIL-S-3136 Type V 1 1 3 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type VI 1 1 3 1
MIL-S-3136 B Type VII 1 -- 4 1
MIL-S-81087 1 -- 4 1
MIL-T-9188 B 4 4 4 4
Milk 1 4 1 1
Mineral oil 1 1 2 1
Mineral spirits 2 -- 4 1
Mobil SHC 525 1 4 4 3
Mobil SHC 624 2 4 4 3
Mobil SHC 626 2 4 4 3
Mobil SHC 629 2 3 4 2
Mobil SHC 630 2 2 4 1
Mobil SHC 632 2 1 4 1
Mobil SHC 634 1 1 4 1
Mobil SHC 75W90 1 3 4 2
Mono Ethanolamine 4 -- 2 4
Monobromobenzene 4 -- 4 1
Monochlorobenzene 4 4 4 1
Monoethanol Amine 4 4 2 4
Monomethyl Aniline 4 4 -- 2
REFERENCE Monomethyl Ether (Dimethyl Ether) 1 4 1 1

231.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Monomethyl Ether (Methyl Ether) 1 4 1 1
Monomethyl Hydrazine 2 -- 4 --
Mononitrotoluene/Dinitrotoluene 40/60 4 -- 4 4
Monovinyl Acetylene 1 -- 2 1
Mopar brake fluid 4 -- 4 4
Mustard gas -- -- 1 --
Myvacet 9-45 1 -- -- 1
N-Heptane 1 -- 4 1
N-Hexaldehyde 4 -- 2 4
N-Hexene-1 2 1 4 1
N-Octane 2 4 4 1
N-Pentane 1 -- 4 1
N-Propyl Acetate 4 4 4 4
Naptha 2 2 4 1
Naphthaienic Acid 2 -- 4 1
Naphthalene 4 -- 4 1
Natural gas 1 2 1 1
Neat's foot oil 1 1 2 1
Neon 1 -- 1 1
Neville Acid 4 4 4 1
Nickel Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Nickel Chloride (AQ) 1 3 1 1
Nickel salts 1 -- 1 1
Nickel Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Niter cake 1 4 1 1
Nitric Acid (conc.) 4 4 4 3
Nitric Acid (dilute) 4 4 2 1
Nitric Acid, red fuming 4 4 4 4
Nitrobenzene 4 4 4 2
Nitrobenzene (Petroleum Ether) 1 1 4 1
Nitrobenzine -- -- -- 1 REFERENCE

232.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Nitroethane 4 4 4 4
Nitrogen 1 1 1 1
Nitrogen Tetroxide 4 4 4 4
Nitromethane 4 4 4 4
Nitropropane 4 -- 4 4
No. 5 cm coolant 1 -- -- --
O-A-548A 1 3 2 2
O-Chloronapthalene 4 4 4 1
O-Chlorophenol 4 -- 4 1
O-Dichlorobenzene 4 4 4 1
O-Dichorobenzene 4 4 4 1
O-T-634B 3 4 4 1
Octachlorotoluene 4 4 4 1
Octadecane 1 2 4 1
Octyl Alcohol 2 4 2 1
Oleic Acid 3 4 4 2
Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) 4 -- 4 1
Oleum spirits 2 -- 4 1
Olive oil 1 1 3 1
Oronite 8200 (see MIL-H-8446B) 2 3 4 1
Orthochloro Ethyl Benzene 4 -- 4 1
OS 45 Type III (OS45) 2 -- 4 1
OS 45 Type IV (OS45-1) 2 -- 4 1
OS 70 2 -- 4 1
Oxalic Acid 2 -- 2 1
Oxygen-(200-400 degrees F.) 4 4 2 2
Oxygen, cold 2 2 1 1
Ozone 4 2 1 1
P-Cymene 4 4 4 1
P-D-680 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE P-D-680B 1 -- 4 1

233.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
P-Dichlorobenzene 4 -- 4 1
P-S-661B 1 -- 4 1
Paint thinner, Duco 4 4 4 2
Palmitic Acid 1 -- 4 1
Par-Al-Ketone 4 -- 4 4
Para-Dichlorobenzene 4 -- 4 1
Parker O-Lube 1 -- 1 1
Peanut oil 1 1 1 1
Pentane, 2 Methyl 1 -- 4 1
Pentane, 2-4 Dimethyl 1 -- 4 1
Pentane, 3 Methyl 1 -- 4 1
Perchloric Acid 4 4 4 1
Perchloroethylene 2 4 4 1
Petroleum, above 250 degrees F. 4 4 4 2
Petroleum, below 250 degrees F. 1 2 2 1
Phenol (Carbolic Acid) 4 4 4 1
Phenol, 70%/30% water 4 -- 4 1
Phenol, 85%/15% water 4 -- 4 1
Phenylbenzene 4 4 4 1
Phenyl Ethyl Ether 4 4 4 4
Phenyl Hydrazine 4 4 -- 1
Phenylbenzene 4 4 4 1
Phorone (Disopropylidene Acetone) 4 4 4 4
Phosphate Ester 4 4 1 1
Phosphoric Acid, 20% 2 -- 2 1
Phosphoric Acid-3 molar 4 -- 2 1
Phosphoric Acid-45% 4 -- 3 1
Phosphoric Acid, concentrated 4 -- 2 1
Phosphorus Trichloride 4 -- -- 1
Pickling solution 4 4 4 2
Picric Acid 2 -- 4 1 REFERENCE

234.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Pine oil 4 -- 4 1
Pinene 2 4 4 1
Piperidine 4 4 4 4
Plating solution, chrome -- -- 4 1
Plating solution, others 1 -- 4 1
Polyalkylene Glycol (Ucon-51 lube) -- -- 2 2
Potassium Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Potassium Chloride (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Potassium Cupro Cyanide (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Potassium Cyanide (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Potassium Dichromate (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Potassium Hydroxide (AQ) 2 4 3 4
Potassium Nitrate (AQ) 1 1 1 1
Potassium salts 1 -- 1 1
Potassium Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Potassium Sulfite 1 -- 1 1
Prestone anti-freeze 1 -- 1 1
PRL-high temp Hydr oil 2 -- 2 1
Producer gas 1 2 2 1
Propane 1 1 4 1
Propane Propionitrile 1 -- 4 1
Propyl Acetone (Methyl Butyl Ketone) 4 4 3 4
Propyl Alcohol 1 4 1 1
Propyl Nitrate 4 4 4 4
Propylene 4 4 4 1
Propylene Oxide 4 4 4 4
Pydraul, 10E, 29 ELT 4 4 4 1
Pydraul, 115E 4 4 4 1
Pydraul, 230E, 312C, 540C 4 4 4 1
Pydraul, 30E, 50E, 65E, 90E 4 4 1 1
REFERENCE Pyranol 1 -- 4 1

235.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Pyranol, transformer oil 1 1 4 1
Pyridine 4 4 4 4
Pyrogard, 42, 43, 53, 55 (Phosphate Ester) 4 -- 4 1
Pyrogard C, D 1 -- 2 1
Pyroligenous Acid 4 4 -- 4
Pyrolube 4 -- 2 1
Pyrrole 4 4 2 4
Quaker 613-AS 2 3 2 2
Radiation 3 3 3 4
Rapeseed oil 2 2 4 1
Red Line 100 oil 1 -- 4 1
Red oil (MIL-H-5606) 1 1 4 1
RJ-1 (MIL-F-25558B) 1 1 4 1
RP-1 (MIL-F-25576C) 1 1 4 1
SAE 30 1 1 1 1
SAE 90 1 1 4 1
SAE 90 EP (GL-5) 2 1 4 1
Sal Ammoniac 1 1 2 1
Salicylic Acid 2 -- -- 1
Salt water 1 4 1 1
Santo Safe 300 4 -- 1 1
Sewage 1 4 2 1
Shell Alvania grease #2 1 -- 2 1
Shell Carnea 19 and 29 1 -- -- 1
Shell Diala 1 -- -- 1
Shell Iris 3XF mine fluid (fire rest) 1 -- -- 1
Shell Iris 905 1 -- -- 1
Shell Iris Tellus #27, pet base 1 -- 4 1
Shell Iris Tellus #33 1 -- 4 1
Shell Iris UMF (5% aromatic) 1 -- 4 1
REFERENCE

236.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Shell lo Hydrax 27 and 29 1 -- 4 1
Shell macoma 72 1 -- 4 1
Silicate Esters 2 -- 4 1
Silicone greases 1 1 3 1
Silicone oils 1 1 3 1
Silver Nitrate 2 1 1 1
Sinclair Opaline CX-EP lube 1 -- 4 1
Skelly solvent B, C, E 1 -- -- 1
Skydrol 500 4 4 3 4
Skydrol 7000 4 4 3 2
Soap solutions 1 4 1 1
Socony Mobil Type A 1 -- 4 1
Socony vacuum AMV AC781 (grease) 1 -- 4 1
Socony vacuum PD959B 4 -- 4 1
Soda ash 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Sodium Bicarbonate (AQ) baking soda 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Bisulfite (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Sodium Borate (AQ) 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Carbonate (soda ash) 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Chloride (AQ) 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Cyanide (AQ) 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Hydroxide (AQ) 2 3 2 2
Sodium Hypochlorite (AQ) (Chlorax) 2 4 2 1
Sodium Metaphosphate (AQ) 1 -- -- 1
Sodium Nitrate (AQ) 2 -- 4 --
Sodium Perborate (AQ) 2 -- 2 1
Sodium Peroxide (AQ) 2 4 4 1
Sodium Phosphate (AQ) 1 1 4 1
Sodium salts 1 -- 1 1
REFERENCE Sodium Silicate (AQ) 1 -- -- 1

237.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Sodium Sulfate (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Sodium Sulfite 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Sulphide 1 -- 1 1
Sodium Thiosulfate (AQ) 2 4 1 1
Sovasol #1, 2, 3 1 -- 4 1
Sovasol #73, 74 2 -- 4 1
Soybean oil 1 1 1 1
SPRY 1 -- 1 1
SR-10 Fuel 1 -- 4 1
SR-6 Fuel 2 -- 4 1
Stannic Chloride (AQ) 1 -- 2 1
Stannous Chloride (AQ) 1 -- 2 1
Stauffer 7700 2 -- 4 1
Steam over 300 degrees F. (water) 4 4 4 4
Steam under 300 degrees F. (water) 4 4 3 4
Stearic acid 2 -- 2 --
Stoddard solvent 1 1 4 1
Styrene 4 4 4 2
Sucrose solution 1 4 1 1
Sulfite liquors 2 4 4 1
Sulfur 4 4 3 1
Sulfur Chloride (AQ) 3 4 3 1
Sulfur Dioxide (dry) 4 4 2 1
Sulfur Dioxide (wet) 4 4 2 1
Sulfur Dioxide liquid (under pressure) 4 4 2 1
Sulfur Hexafluoride 2 4 2 1
Sulfur liquors 2 -- 4 1
Sulfur Trioxide 4 4 2 1
Sulfur-Molten 4 -- 4 1
Sulfuric Acid (20% Oleum) 4 4 4 1
Sulfuric Acid (conc.) 4 4 4 1 REFERENCE

238.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Sulfuric acid (dilute) 3 2 4 1
Sulfuric Acid 3 Molar 4 -- 4 1
Sulfurous Acid 2 4 4 1
Sunoco #3661 1 -- 4 1
Sunoco all purpose grease 1 -- 4 1
Sunoco SAE 10 1 -- 4 1
Sunsafe (fire resistant Hydr. fluid) 1 -- -- 1
Super shell gas 1 -- 4 1
Swan Finch EP lube 1 -- 4 1
Swan Finch Hypoid 1 -- 4 1
Tannic Acid 1 4 2 1
Tar, Bituminous 2 4 2 1
Tartaric acid 1 -- 1 1
Terpineol 2 -- -- 1
Tertiary-Butyl Alcohol Turbine oil #15 2 -- 4 1
(MIL-L-7808A)
Turbo oil #35 1 -- 4 1
Turpentine 1 2 4 1
Type I fuel (MIL-S-3136) 1 -- 4 1
Type II fuel (MIL-L-3136) 2 -- 4 1
Type III fuel (MIL-L-3136) 2 -- 4 1
Ucon Hydrolube J-4 1 -- 1 1
Ucon Lubricant 50-HB100 1 -- 1 1
Ucon Lubricant LB-1145 1 -- 1 1
REFERENCE

239.
ESP Catalog 0338
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Ucon oil LB-385 1 -- 1 1
Ucon oil LB-400X 1 -- 1 1
Ultra-violet light 4 2 1 1
Univis (Hydraulic fluid) 1 -- 4 1
Univolt #35 (mineral oil) 1 -- 4 1
Varnish 2 4 4 1
Vegtable oils 1 1 2 1
Versilube F-50 1 1 3 1
Vinegar 2 4 1 1
Vinyl Chloride 4 4 -- 1
W-B-680 2 2 4 1
W-G-632 1 1 3 1
W-G-671C 1 1 3 1
W-H-910 2 2 4 1
W-I-530A 1 1 3 1
W-K-211D 1 -- 4 1
W-K-220A 1 2 4 1
W-L-751B 2 2 4 1
W-L-800 1 1 3 1
W-L-820B 1 1 3 1
W-L-825A Type I 1 1 3 1
W-L-825A Type II 1 1 3 1
W-L-825A Type III 2 2 4 1
W-O-526 1 1 3 1
W-P-216A 1 1 3 1
W-P-236 2 2 4 1
Wagner 21B brake fluid 3 -- 3 4
Water 1 4 1 1
Wemco 1 -- 4 1 REFERENCE

240.
SEALING MATERIAL
CHEMICAL
N P S F
Whiskey, wines 1 4 1 1
White gas 2 4 4 1
White oil 1 1 4 1
White pine oil 2 -- 4 1
Wolmar salt 1 -- 1 1
Wood alcohol 1 -- 1 1
Wood oil 1 1 4 1
Xenon 1 -- 1 1
Xylene 4 4 4 1
Xylidine (Di-Methyl Aniline) 3 4 4 4
Xylol 4 -- 4 1
Zeolites 1 -- -- 1
Zinc Acetate (AQ) 2 4 4 4
Zinc Chloride (AQ) 1 4 1 1
Zinc salts 1 -- 1 1

REFERENCE
241.
ESP Catalog 0338
PROFILE MATRIX
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SCJ SBJ SBH SBS SCL SCL6 SB2T SB2L
TCJ TBJ TBH TBS TCL TCL6 TB2T TB2L
VCJ VBJ VBH VBS VCL VCL6 VB2T VB2L
KCL KCL6
KCJ KBJ KBH KBS KB2T KB2L
DCJ DBJ SBM DBS DCL DCL6 DB2T TBM

E
SB2T SBT SCT UBS SCLT SAM TCLT TAM

F
TB2T TBT TCT VCLT VAM VBM KBM DCLT
VB2T VBT VCT KB2T KBT KCT KCLT KAM

H
DB2T DBT DCT OSA2 OSB2 OSB OSBR OSC
I
REFERENCE
OTA2 OTB2 OTB OTBR OTC OVB OVBR OVC
242.
PROFILE MATRIX
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OVA2 OVB2 OKA2 OKB2 OKB OKBR OKC SCN
OUA2 OUB2 OUB OUBR OUC SCN1 TCN1 TDN
SB4 TB4 SC4 DC4 TBR8 TC8 TC9 TBC9

C
RO ROE SA2C SB2C SCC TA2C TB2C

RVS
D
TCC EBC EBG ECS ECJ VA2 VBR VC

E
VBC VBJ VBH V13 V10 V15 KA2

V16
F
KBR KC KBR KBJ KBH KBS KAM KBP

G
KCL SA2 SBR SC SBC SBJ SBH SBS
SAM SBP SUA2 TA2 TBR TC TBC TBJ
REFERENCE
TBH TCL T11 TC8 TC9 DB2 DA2 DBR
243.
ESP Catalog 0338
PROFILE MATRIX
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
DBC DAP TSL8 TSL9 TSL10 WPC
WPR WPK
A
OSB2 OTB2 OKB2 OUA2 OUBR OUC

WPB2 OUB10
B
OUA20 UA2 UBR UC UB10 UA20 XB2 XA2

C
XBR XC XBC XBP LC LCO NBC VSB
VSB5 TGT1 TCK XCJ XBJ XBH XBS XB2L
TCN TC4 RVA EC VB2 KB2 SB2 DC

F
UB2 OUB2 OVB2 WPB FL EVO

G
REFERENCE
244.
locations www.espint.com
World Headquarters:
5920 Dry Creek Lane NE Procurement and Logistics:
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 No. 33-9, Sanguang Lane Beitun District
Ph: 1.888.ESP.9002 (toll free) | Fax: 319.393.5327 Taichung City 40646, Taiwan (R.O.C)
Industrial Seal Headquarters: Machining, Fabrication and Assembly:

10460 Markison Road 1140 Hubbard Ave NE
Dallas, TX 75238 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Ph: 1.800.777.6327 (toll free) | Fax: 214.503.9990 Ph: 319.393.4310 | Fax: 319.3935327
Regional Office: Metal Machining Facility:

2415 Annapolis Lane No. 33, Yang Jiang East Road
Plymouth, MN 55441
PaoJiang Zone
Ph: 763.550.9425 | Fax: 763.550.9427
Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000 China
India Headquarters:
No 185, First Main Road, Nehru Nagar
Kotivakkam, India
Chennai -600 041
Ph: 91-44-24540506
Asia/China Headquarters:
Pan Ten 2nd Industrial
Bugy Town Long Gang District
Shenzhen, China
Ph: 86.755.8419.2746

Shaft Seal Handbbok PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Shaft Seal Handbbok PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Shaft Seal Handbbok PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What products and services does ESP offer?

What products and services does ESP offer?

What locations does ESP have worldwide?

What locations does ESP have worldwide?

Shaft Seal Handbook

ESP has developed in-house engineering that helps design OEM

ESP continues to increase the value added to our customers’ bottom

RADIAL SHAFT SEALS

FLUID POWER PRODUCTS

CUSTOM MOLDED RUBBER & INJECTION MOLDING – ANY SHAPE AND

FASTENER AND THREAD SEALS

Seal Design ......................................... 33

Manufacturing Process ................... 103

Installation ........................................ 111

Applications ..................................... 121

Custom Seal Testing ........................ 129

Troubleshooting ............................... 137

Order Information ............................ 177

Reference ......................................... 181

THE EVOLUTION OF RADIAL SHAFT

The Industrial Revolution spawned the development

The seals of the industrial age were organic ropes or

In the late 1920’s, a self contained shaft seal was cre-

The most significant development in the evolution of

In the 1960’s high temperature elastomers were devel-

The 1980’s brought an important change in radial lip

The future of radial shaft seals will be centered around

1800’s 1920’s 1940’s 1950’s 1970’s 1980’s

Radial Shaft Seal

The first known shaft seals

Elastomers are polymers that have the

The macromolecules in thermoplastics Macromolecules in

The macromolecules in thermosets are

Elastomers are commonly referred to as

Vulcanization is a chemical process induced

• Base polymer: Can be natural rubber or syn-

• Fillers: Fillers are used for two main reasons,

• Vulcanizing agents: The most common vul-

• Accelerators: Accelerators increase the rate

• Inhibitors: When the temperature increases the reaction

• Anti-degradants: Anti-degradants increase resistance

• Pigments: Pigments, organic and inorganic, are used to

THE EVOLUTION OF RUBBER

• In 1770 Joseph Priestley discovered that rubbing the

• In 1791 Samuel Peal patented a method that made fab-

• In 1823 Charles Macintosh founded a factory that made

• In 1834 Friedrich Ludersdorf and Nathaniel Hayward dis-

• In 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered that adding sulfur

• In 1860 Charles Hanson Greville Williams discovered that

• In 1877 Chapman Mitchell started working with sulfuric

• In 1905 Arthur H. Marks invented the alkaline recovery

• In 1906 George Oenslager discovered that adding ac-

• In 1926 German scientist G. Ebert succeeded in produc-

With the development of synthetic rub-

MATERIAL PROPERTIES Measure of a

• Hardness: The measure of a material’s

• Tensile strength: The amount of force re- Tensile Strength

• Elongation: The percentage that the MATERIALS

• Modulus: is the stress required to pro-