How Long Do Mechanical Seals Last

Are you tired of constantly replacing mechanical seals in your industrial machinery? Premature seal failure can lead to costly downtime and maintenance expenses.

The lifespan of mechanical seals varies widely depending on factors like operating conditions, seal design, and materials used. Without understanding these critical factors, you could be setting yourself up for frequent and expensive seal replacements.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the typical lifespans of different mechanical seal types and examine the key variables that impact seal longevity.

Typical Lifespan of Mechanical Seals

Factors Affecting Mechanical Seal Lifespan

Operating Conditions

• Temperature: Extreme temperatures, both high and low, can cause thermal expansion or contraction of seal components, leading to increased wear and reduced lifespan.
• Pressure: High pressure can cause deformation of seal faces, resulting in leakage and premature failure.
• Shaft Speed: Higher shaft speeds generate more heat and increase wear on the seal faces, reducing seal life.
• Fluid Compatibility: The sealed fluid must be compatible with the seal materials to prevent chemical attack, corrosion, or swelling of elastomers.

Seal Design

• Face Flatness and Width: Seal faces must be flat and have sufficient width to maintain a stable fluid film between the faces, minimizing wear.
• Balance Diameter: Properly balanced seals ensure even pressure distribution across the seal faces, reducing wear and extending seal life.
• Spring Selection: The spring must provide adequate force to maintain face contact under all operating conditions without causing excessive wear.

Materials

Seal Face Materials

Elastomers