T-Seals: Sealing in High-Pressure Applications
Rubber grommets are essential components used to protect and insulate objects that pass through openings in metal, plastic, or other materials. They are commonly used to prevent wear and tear on cables, wires, and pipes, providing both mechanical protection and a secure seal. This guide covers the features, common applications, and the pros and cons of using rubber grommets in various industries.
CanRez® FFKM and Kalrez® T-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 T-Seals
T-seals are engineered with several key features that make them ideal for demanding applications:
- T-Shaped Cross-Section: The T-seal’s unique cross-section helps distribute the load more evenly compared to O-rings, reducing the risk of extrusion and increasing sealing efficiency under high-pressure conditions.
- Anti-Extrusion Backup Rings: T-seals often incorporate anti-extrusion rings made of hard thermoplastic materials on either side of the seal. These backup rings prevent extrusion and seal failure, especially in dynamic applications with significant pressure fluctuations.
- High Pressure Resistance: T-seals are designed to handle high-pressure environments, typically ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 psi or more, making them ideal for hydraulic cylinders, pumps, and valves.
- Wide Temperature Range: T-seals are available in various elastomer compounds, allowing them to perform reliably in extreme temperature conditions ranging from far below zero to over 330°C, depending on the material used.
- Low Friction Operation: The design of T-seals reduces friction and wear, making them suitable for dynamic applications where continuous motion is required, minimizing energy loss and extending seal life.
- Chemical and Fluid Resistance: T-seals are manufactured from a wide range of elastomers, providing resistance to a variety of fluids, oils, and chemicals, ensuring compatibility with hydraulic fluids, lubricants, and aggressive chemicals.
Common Applications of T-Seals
T-seals are widely used in applications that demand superior performance and durability in high-pressure and dynamic environments:
- Hydraulic Cylinders: T-seals are ideal for use in hydraulic cylinders where they provide effective sealing between the piston and cylinder wall, preventing fluid leakage even under extreme pressures.
- Pneumatic Systems: In pneumatic applications, T-seals are used to prevent air leaks in compressors, actuators, and other equipment, ensuring efficient system performance.
- Valves and Pumps: T-seals are commonly found in high-pressure valves and pumps, where they provide reliable sealing in both static and dynamic applications, ensuring smooth operation and preventing leaks.
- Aerospace and Defense: Due to their ability to withstand extreme pressures and harsh environments, T-seals are used in aerospace and defense systems for hydraulic actuators, landing gear, and flight control systems.
- Oil and Gas Industry: T-seals are frequently employed in drilling and production equipment, such as blowout preventers and valves, where they provide excellent resistance to high pressures and aggressive fluids found in oil and gas operations.
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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T-Seal Materials
CanRez™ FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Extreme temperatures & chemicals require extreme solutions! CanRez™ FFKM T-Seals offer extreme reliability where you need it most! Thousands of sizes in stock now!
Kalrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Canyon Components offers Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) T-Seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
Parker® T-Seals, O-rings, Parofluor parts, parker FKM Viton
Canyon Components offers Parker Hannifin® T-Seals, O-rings, Gaskets, Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) parts, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
FKM (Viton®, Fluorocarbon)
FKM T-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) T-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.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM T-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 T-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 T-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 T-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 T-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 T-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 T-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 have materials available for 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!
T-Seals Pros & Cons
T-seals provide a robust sealing solution for high-pressure and dynamic applications across a variety of industries, from aerospace and defense to oil and gas. With their unique T-shaped design, anti-extrusion features, and ability to handle extreme pressures, T-seals offer significant advantages over standard O-rings, including improved durability, reliability, and longer service life. While they may come with higher costs and installation challenges, their performance in demanding environments makes them an invaluable choice for ensuring leak-free operation and maintaining system integrity.
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 T-Seals
T-seals offer several advantages that make them a preferred choice for high-performance sealing applications:
- Excellent Extrusion Resistance: The addition of anti-extrusion rings ensures that T-seals remain effective under high pressures, preventing the seal from being forced out of its groove, a common failure mode in O-rings.
- Superior Sealing in Dynamic Applications: T-seals perform exceptionally well in applications involving reciprocating motion, providing a reliable seal in dynamic environments where traditional seals may wear out quickly.
- Versatility: With a wide range of elastomer materials available, T-seals can be customized to meet specific requirements for fluid compatibility, temperature resistance, and pressure handling, making them suitable for diverse industries.
- Extended Service Life: T-seals are designed for durability, providing a longer service life compared to standard O-rings, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or replacement.
- Improved Load Distribution: The T-shaped design helps distribute pressure more evenly, reducing the risk of leaks and improving overall system efficiency.
Cons of T-Seals
Despite their many benefits, T-seals have some limitations:
- Higher Cost: T-seals, particularly those with backup rings, can be more expensive than traditional O-rings due to the added complexity of their design and materials.
- Complex Installation: The inclusion of backup rings and the T-seal’s specific groove design can make installation more complex compared to simpler seals, requiring careful handling to ensure proper fit and function.
- Limited Availability in Certain Sizes: While T-seals are available in a wide range of sizes, they may not be as readily available as standard O-rings for all applications, requiring custom manufacturing in some cases.
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