Hydraulic Seals: High-Pressure Systems
Hydraulic seals are crucial components in hydraulic systems, where they are used to prevent fluid leakage, maintain pressure, and ensure the efficient operation of machinery and equipment. These seals are designed to withstand the high pressures and harsh conditions typical of hydraulic environments. This guide covers the features, common applications, and the pros and cons of hydraulic seals.
CanRez® FFKM and Kalrez® hydraulic seals, grommets, O-rings, gasket rapid manufacturing, & custom molded parts are available now!
Check with one of Canyon’s helpful product engineers for an expert material and manufacturing recommendation.
Features of Hydraulic Seals
Hydraulic seals are engineered with specific features that make them ideal for use in high-pressure hydraulic systems:
- High-Pressure Resistance: Hydraulic seals are designed to handle extreme pressures, often exceeding thousands of PSI, ensuring reliable sealing even under the most demanding conditions.
- Temperature Tolerance: These seals can operate effectively across a wide temperature range, making them suitable for use in both high and low-temperature environments.
- Material Durability: Hydraulic seals are made from durable materials like nitrile rubber (NBR), polyurethane (PU), PTFE, and Viton, which resist wear, abrasion, and chemical exposure.
- Leak Prevention: The primary function of hydraulic seals is to prevent hydraulic fluid from leaking out of the system, maintaining pressure and ensuring efficient operation.
- Compatibility: Hydraulic seals are designed to be compatible with various hydraulic fluids, including oils, water-glycol, and synthetic fluids, ensuring that the seals do not degrade or swell over time.
Common Applications of Hydraulic Seals
Hydraulic seals are used in a variety of applications across different industries where high-pressure fluid control is essential:
- Hydraulic Cylinders: These seals are critical in hydraulic cylinders, where they prevent fluid leakage around the piston and rod, ensuring smooth and efficient linear motion.
- Hydraulic Pumps: In hydraulic pumps, seals prevent leaks and maintain the necessary pressure to transfer hydraulic fluid throughout the system.
- Construction Machinery: Hydraulic seals are widely used in construction equipment like excavators, bulldozers, and cranes, where they ensure the reliable operation of hydraulic systems.
- Industrial Machinery: In manufacturing and processing industries, hydraulic seals are used in presses, injection molding machines, and other hydraulic-powered equipment to maintain system integrity.
- Automotive Systems: Hydraulic seals are found in various automotive components, such as brake systems and power steering units, where they maintain pressure and prevent fluid leaks.
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
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Hydraulic Seal Materials
CanRez™ FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Extreme temperatures & chemicals require extreme solutions! CanRez™ FFKM hydraulic seal materials offer extreme reliability where you need it most! Thousands of sizes in stock now!
CanGuard™ RFI & EMI Shielding Materials
CanGuard™ hydraulic seal materials have been developed to offer superior sealing solutions with enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding.
Kalrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Canyon Components offers Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
Parker® Hydraulic Seals, O-rings, Parofluor parts, parker FKM Viton
Canyon Components offers Parker Hannifin® hydraulic seals, O-rings, Gaskets, Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) parts, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
FKM (Viton®, Fluorocarbon)
FKM hydraulic seals, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts exhibit excellent mechanical attributes as well as excellent resistance to high temperatures, mineral oil, ozone, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and many other solvents and chemicals.
Aflas® (TFE/P)
TFE/P (Aflas) hydraulic seals, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts gives high resistance to steam, hot water, atmospheric wear, and many chemicals. TFE/P compounds provide superior performance in water, steam and virtually all caustic chemicals.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
The mechanical and physical properties of Fluorosilicone hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very similar to silicone. Fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer improved flexibility and strength, better resistance to fuels and mineral oil, but reduced hot air resistance.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Silicone hydraulic seals, seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are excellent for extreme temperatures in static applications. Canyon Components carries a range of silicone materials, and we are happy to custom tailor a seal to meet your application requirements!
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM hydraulic seals, materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts can operate over a wide temperature range, and are compatible with glycol fluids that cause problems for most typical elastomeric seals.
NBR (Nitrile, Buna-N)
Nitrile hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very oil-resistant, have strong mechanical properties, are resistant to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. These properties make Nitrile the most commonly used general purpose O-ring, gasket, & custom molded part material.
HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile)
Hydrogenated Nitrile hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer higher strength and reduced degradation at high temperatures compared to conventional Nitrile materials. These properties make HNBR materials popular in the oil and gas industry, as well as many applications in the chemical industry.
XNBR (Carboxylated Nitrile)
XNBR hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are similar to Nitrile, but the backbone has been chemically modified with a Carboxylic Acid group. The resulting elastomer is a Nitrile rubber with outstanding abrasion and chemical resistance, superior to that of traditional Nitrile.
Neoprene (CR)
Chloroprene was the first synthetic rubber, and was developed commercially under the name Neoprene®. Chloroprene hydraulic seals, rubbers, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts contain Chlorine in the polymer to reduce the reactivity to many oxidizing agents, as well as to oil and flame.
Polyurethane (PU, AU)
Polyurethane hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts generally have two or three times greater tensile strength and wear resistance than Nitrile and comparable polymers. Polyurethane also provides excellent permeation resistance when compared to most rubbers.
PTFE (Teflon)
The harshest environments require specialized solutions. Often times, a Canyon Components PTFE hydraulic seals are used in harsh chemical environments. Polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as PTFE or Teflon®, is a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its exceptional chemical resistance, low friction, and non-stick properties.
Product Types
Custom Parts
Here at Canyon Components, we make sure to offer our customers any manufacturing technique they desire. Whether your O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts be rubber, plastic, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it!
Gaskets & Custom Cutting
Whether your custom cut parts be rubber, plastic, sponge, composite, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it! Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. If you need something that isn't listed, feel free to contact a Canyon Components product and application consultant.
Infinite "Giant" Diameter O-Rings
By either Continuous Molding O-rings, or Splice & Vulcanizing O-rings, Canyon can provide mold-less, infinitely large O-rings at competitive prices!
Specialty Compliances
Canyon has materials available for hydraulic seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom parts with compliances ranging from USP Class VI <87> & <88> for medical applications, to FDA CFR 21.177.2600 grades A through F for different food types, to the various drinking water specifications like KTW and NSF. Whether it's metal, rubber, or plastic, Canyon can meet your needs!
Hydraulic Seals Pros & Cons
Hydraulic seals are indispensable components in systems that rely on hydraulic fluid for motion and control. With features such as high-pressure resistance, temperature tolerance, and material durability, hydraulic seals ensure the efficient and reliable operation of hydraulic systems in a variety of applications, from construction machinery to industrial equipment. While they offer many advantages, including long service life and reduced maintenance, it is important to consider their limitations, such as material sensitivity and installation challenges, when selecting the right seal for your application. Understanding the features, applications, and potential drawbacks of hydraulic seals will help you make informed decisions to ensure optimal performance in your hydraulic systems.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Pros of Hydraulic Seals
Hydraulic seals offer several advantages that make them essential for hydraulic systems:
- High Performance: Hydraulic seals are designed to handle extreme pressures and temperatures, providing reliable sealing in demanding applications.
- Long Service Life: Made from durable materials, hydraulic seals are resistant to wear and tear, chemical exposure, and environmental factors, ensuring a long service life.
- Improved Efficiency: By preventing leaks and maintaining system pressure, hydraulic seals contribute to the overall efficiency of hydraulic systems, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
- Versatility: Available in a wide range of materials and designs, hydraulic seals can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of various applications.
- Reduced Maintenance: The durability and reliability of hydraulic seals reduce the need for frequent maintenance, lowering downtime and maintenance costs.
Cons of Hydraulic Seals
While hydraulic seals offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Material Sensitivity: The performance of hydraulic seals can be affected by the choice of material. For example, certain materials may degrade when exposed to specific hydraulic fluids, temperatures, or environmental conditions.
- Installation Challenges: Proper installation is crucial for the effective performance of hydraulic seals. Improper installation can lead to leaks, reduced efficiency, and premature seal failure.
- Cost: High-quality hydraulic seals, especially those made from advanced materials like PTFE or Viton, can be more expensive than standard seals, which may be a consideration for cost-sensitive applications.
- Environmental Limitations: While hydraulic seals are designed to operate in a wide range of conditions, extreme environments (such as very high or low temperatures) can still affect their performance and lifespan.
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