Seals

7. Review your choice of seal

Long seal life with good performance is the result of correct application of an appropriate seal. The following are critical for satisfactory operation:

dimensions and tolerances of seal housings must be within recommended limits;
geometrical tolerances specified by the manufacturer must be observed;
temperature limitations must not be exceeded;
surface finish must be sufficiently fine to avoid undue wear and leakage;
some seals require location to prevent unwanted movement;
wear should be minimised by the prior exclusion of abrasive particles;
vibration should be minimised to reduce degradation of seal performance;
great care must be exercised when fitting seals, particularly when assembled over locating lips or threads;
regular maintenance should be carried out as frequently as necessary to ensure continuity of performance.