A Quick Look into The Different Types of Hydraulic Seals

Posted on: 26 February 2021

Many industrial applications use hydraulic equipment. Whether in oil and gas, automobile, mining, construction, waste management, recycling, etc., many types of machinery used in these industries operate in a reciprocating motion. Typically, hydraulic equipment relies on hydraulic cylinders, which essentially use hydraulic fluid to create the push-and-pull force needed to move the machinery. And since the cylinders contain fluid, they must be sealed to prevent leaks. Here's where hydraulic seals come in. They are usually non-metallic gasket-like soft rings that form the sealing unit of hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulic seals may wear out or become damaged over time. When this happens, it's imperative to understand the different types available to get the right one for your application. With that in mind, here is a guide to the hydraulic seal types available.

Static and Dynamic Seals

Hydraulic seals come in two primary categories: static and dynamic. As the name implies, static hydraulic seals remain stationary during operation. These seals act as a gasket, which is usually under pressure. On the other hand, their dynamic counterparts are used in hydraulic cylinders whose components move continually when the machinery is operated. Therefore, make sure you understand how your hydraulic equipment works before going shopping for replacement hydraulic seals.

Piston Hydraulic Seals

These hydraulic seals act as pressure barriers, preventing the hydraulic fluid from bypassing the hydraulic cylinder's pistons during any pressure cycle. Essentially, they maintain the proper seal contact between the cylinder bore and the piston. They are dynamic seals and can be both single-acting and double-acting. With single-acting piston seals, pressure acts on one side of the seal only. On the other hand, pressure acts on both sides of the seals when using double-acting piston seals. Understand whether you have a single-acting or double-acting hydraulic cylinder to ensure you purchase the correct seal.

Rod Hydraulic Seals

Rod seals are static hydraulic seals. Generally, they form the most significant component of your hydraulic systems' sealing unit. Their function is to keep the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic cylinder. What's more, they provide a lubrication film on the piston rod (which then lubricates the piston rod seals) to ensure smooth operation. The lubrication also prevents the surface of the piston rod from corrosion.

Wiper Hydraulic Seals

Hydraulic cylinders usually function in outdoor environments, dust, dirt and debris, which can contaminate the hydraulic system. To protect the hydraulic from damage and faulty issues that may result from such contaminants, wiper seals are often the solution.

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