Five Seal Failure Caused by Mechanical Action
A Seal (mechanical) is an object or a device that serves stick mechanisms together by stopping leakage. One of the examples that a seal is applied is a pumping system. The lasting duration of the seal depends on the compression in caskets and adhesion in sealants.
There could be many reasons for the mechanical seals to fail. However, let’s concentrate on five types of seal failure and their remedies with this blog.
1. Face Deflection
The seal face deflection (failure reasons) can determine if the seal face is unevenly placed, like meeting with face distortion. The wear pattern is tricky in terms of its placement; however, around the seal faces, the seal face deflection is constant for 360 degrees and is either convex or concave.
Both the convex seal face and the concave seal face results in problems on a different level. Unusual high leakage rates can be noticed on a convex seal face, while concave face lens common outcome to the unreasonable seal faces torque and heat. Seals performing in either way will usually not be durable under cyclic pressure conditions.
Some of the causes of seal face deflection are swelling of secondary seals, using exceedingly the pressure limits of the seals, placing unbalance of mechanical loads and hydraulic on the primary seal faces, and incorrect static seal face support.
2. Face Distortion or Distorted Seal Faces
If you notice beyond normal leakage at the seal, then it usually signals face distortion. An inconsistent wear pattern is shown in a distorted seal face. Occasionally it is hard to detect an uneven or non-uniform wear pattern; however, it can be seen by polishing a seal face gently; high spots will distinctly appear at many points if it is twisted.
One of the reasons for seal face distortion is incorrect cooling that speeds up thermal tension. Corrosion usually occurs if the surface is poorly completed, and as a result, it can cause distortion. Incorrect assembly of seal parts could force unbalance loads around the seals.
3. Tracking the Seal
The wear design of the nose on the larger seal face surface is broader than the nose.
Some of the reasons for seal failure can be caused by improper alignment of the two seal faces, operating the machine in poor condition, and excessive pressure.
4. Extrusion of the Seal
Other secondary seals or O-rings turn to deform after squeezing around the primary seal faces. Usually, O-rings or secondary seal gets cut, or in other cases, it peeled.
Some of the reasons for seal failure are excess mechanical stresses on the O-ring area, heating beyond temperature, releasing excessive pressure.
5. Erosion on Seal Face
Seal face could be worn away or erode in one or more place areas. Erosion usually takes place on a static seal face till breakage occurs or seal face distortion. Eroding appears in seal faces of carbon-graphite; however, it can be visible in other materials under terrible circumstances.
Causes of erosion on seal occur due to flush fluid polluted with harsh particles.
It is not a new complaint that seals fails due to mechanical action. Still, we can avoid these things if the operator, users and dealers operate the machines with the help of a professional guide, instructions. It is reported and studied that a UK based company known as Cheshire Seals & Components Ltd provides the best guidance to operate it and helps machine’s longevity.
