In machinery and equipment, oil seal is one of the indispensable parts in equipment. Its main function is to prevent oil leakage, while preventing external dust and pollutants from entering the sealing system, so as to ensure the stable operation of the equipment. The life of the oil seal is directly related to the work efficiency of the equipment, especially in some high-load and high-speed equipment, the state of the oil seal may determine the reliability and maintenance cost of the equipment. You should know that the life of the oil seal is not determined by a single factor, but closely related to many aspects.
· Selection of materials
The material of the oil seal is an important factor affecting its service life. Different application scenarios require oil seals of different materials. Common oil seal materials include nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), etc. Each material has its own unique performance characteristics.
NITRILE RUBBER: SUITABLE FOR THE SEALING OF CONVENTIONAL OILS AND LUBRICANTS, OIL-RESISTANT, WEAR-RESISTANT AND RELIABLE PERFORMANCE. However, it will accelerate aging at high temperatures or exposure to strong acids and alkalis.
Fluororubber: Fluororubber has very good high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, especially suitable for sealing needs in high temperature, high pressure and chemical environment.
Ethylene rubber: It is often used for sealing water, steam, hot air, etc., especially suitable for water treatment, refrigeration equipment, etc., but it has poor adaptability to oil media.
Different working conditions have different requirements for the material of the oil seal, so choosing the right material can extend the service life of the oil seal and avoid failures caused by material maladjustment.


· Working temperature
The performance of oil seals at different temperatures will be different. Each material has an applicable temperature range, and too high or too low temperature will accelerate the aging or cracking of the oil seal. Especially in hydraulic systems, high-temperature machinery or refrigeration systems, the oil seal must adapt to the working temperature of the equipment.
If the oil seal material cannot withstand temperature fluctuations in the working environment, it may cause the seal to fail. For example, in a high-temperature environment, the oil seal is easy to harden and crack, and the sealing performance decreases; at low temperatures, the oil seal becomes brittle and easy to cause leakage. Therefore, it is very important to consider the temperature factor of the environment when buying oil seals.
· Working medium
The working medium of the oil seal is another important factor in determining its life. Different working media have different corrosiveness and wear properties of oil seal materials. Common working media include oil, gas, water, steam, etc.
Oil medium: Oil medium is a common working environment for oil seals. If the oil contains pollutants or high temperature, it may accelerate the aging of the oil seal.
Gas medium: In pneumatic equipment, oil seals are used for airtight sealing. Pressure fluctuations in the gas medium have a great impact on oil seals, especially in high-pressure environments, oil seals are prone to damage.
Water or steam: The sealing requirements of water and steam are high, especially the selection of oil seal materials. If the oil seal used is not suitable for water or steam, swelling, softening and other problems will occur, resulting in water leakage or leakage.
Therefore, choosing the oil seal material that matches the working medium can effectively extend the service life of the oil seal and improve the reliability of the sealing system.
· The condition of use of the equipment
The working environment of the equipment also has an important impact on the life of the oil seal. For example, the working pressure, vibration, speed, etc. of the equipment will accelerate the wear of the oil seal. In some high-speed equipment, the oil seal is subjected to greater force, and the friction and heat increase, which is easy to lead to the aging of the seal.
The design of the oil seal not only needs to consider static sealing, but also needs to deal with dynamic working conditions. If there are frequent pressure changes or violent vibrations during the operation of the equipment, the durability of the oil seal is particularly important. In this case, high-quality oil seal, reasonable installation method, and appropriate lubrication and maintenance can effectively extend its service life.
· Installation and maintenance
The correct installation of the oil seal is crucial to its service life. During the installation process, if there is deviation, misoperation or improper use of tools, it will lead to damage to the oil seal and even affect the normal operation of the equipment. Pay special attention to the following points when installing:
Make sure that there are no burrs, dirt and other impurities in the sealing groove.
Use special tools to avoid the oil seal being squeezed or deformed during installation.
Install the oil seal in the correct direction to avoid reverse installation causing seal failure.
In addition, regular inspection and maintenance are also very important. The wear, aging or deformation of the oil seal can be found in time, and it can be replaced early to avoid equipment failure caused by the failure of the oil seal.
· Hanshang provides all-round sealing solutions
As a leader in the seal industry, Hanshang has more than 30 years of experience and is committed to providing customers with high-quality oil seals, O-rings and other seals. We not only provide spot supply of standard parts, but also provide customized non-standard seals according to the special needs of customers. With professional technical support and strict quality control, Hanshang is committed to helping customers optimize sealing systems, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the reliability of equipment.
Our oil seal products cover a variety of materials and specifications, which are suitable for all kinds of harsh environments such as high pressure, high temperature and chemical corrosion. Whether it is hydraulic system, pneumatic equipment, automobile and industrial equipment, Hanshang can provide reliable sealing solutions to help you improve equipment performance and extend service life.
The life of the oil seal is affected by many factors, including material selection, working temperature, working medium, working conditions and installation quality. Through reasonable material selection, precise installation and regular maintenance, the service life of the oil seal can be significantly improved, the maintenance cost of the equipment can be reduced, and the long-term stable operation of the equipment can be ensured. If you have any other questions, please feel free to consult us!
Original source: Hydraulic seal https://www.bszzseal.com/