Wiper Seals

Wiper seals prevent dirt, debris, and other contaminants from entering systems or machinery. Commonly used in hydraulic cylinders, pumps, and valves, they can be made from materials like rubber, polyurethane, and thermoplastic elastomers.

Featuring a lip that scrapes the system’s surface during movement, wiper seals remove accumulated particles. They also serve as an additional barrier against liquids and gases, often working alongside other seals such as O’Rings and rod seals to provide a comprehensive sealing solution.

Need Hydraulic Cylinder Resealing?

Leaking or damaged seals can significantly impact your hydraulic system’s performance. Trust our experts at Cylinders Inc. to select the right seals for your application and provide quality resealing services.

Rod & Buffer Seals

Car Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic rod seals comprise a metal rod inserted into a rubber or plastic sealing element, creating a tight seal that prevents internal pressure from escaping and external contaminants from entering the cylinder. Buffer seals cushion the rod from shock and vibration, enhancing the cylinder and its components’ lifespan. 

Rod Seal vs. Piston Seal

Rod seals are flexible, keeping pressure in and contaminants out, while piston seals are rigid, maintaining pressure and providing lubrication.

Guide Rings & Lubrication

Guide rings, mounted on pistons and piston rods of hydraulic cylinders, absorb side loads and prevent metal to metal contact between sliding parts. They are typically positioned inward of both the rod and buffer seal and should be lubricated on assembly with the same lubricant used in the hydraulic system. Available in metallic and nonmetallic options, selecting the appropriate guide rings depends on factors such as the rod and piston diameter, stroke length, pressure, type of seal, and lubrication.

Materials Used in Hydraulic Seals

Choosing the right seal material is crucial for the quality and durability of hydraulic seals. Your manufacturer can recommend suitable materials based on specific application needs. Common materials include:

 Rubber: Ideal for applications requiring high flexibility and compressibility. Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), fluoroelastomer (FKM), and hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) are popular choices due to their resistance to grease, mineral oils, and other hydraulic fluids.

 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): Known for its durability in extreme temperatures, pressures, and caustic chemicals. PTFE has a low coefficient of friction, requiring less lubrication and performing effectively even when used dry.

 Rigid Plastics: These offer resistance to temperature, pressure, and chemical reactivity. Engineered plastics enhance the strength of seals compared to commodity plastics, providing additional power to the cylinder.

 Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs): TPEs offer excellent strength and flexibility, making them ideal for hydraulic cylinder seals. They resist abrasion and tearing, maintaining constant pressure over extended periods. Their combination of plastic and rubber properties makes them durable and elastic.

Selecting the right Car Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic seals ensures cost effective repairs and guarantees a long operating life and improved performance for hydraulic cylinders. Incorrect sealing can lead to premature wear and failure.

Hydraulic systems are crucial components of industrial machinery and equipment. For these systems to function correctly, they must be properly sealed. Additionally, proper sealing prevents external contaminants from affecting the hydraulic system’s operation.

To install hydraulic fittings correctly, it is essential to understand how to seal them.

Causes of Fitting Leaks

Hydraulic fittings often leak due to improper installation, excessive pressure, thread damage, vibration, material incompatibility, and seal damage. These issues can lead to leaking fittings, damaging the hydraulic system and impacting your machinery, time, and budget. This article by Topa will focus on sealing methods and how to properly seal fittings to prevent leaks.

Sealing Methods

Though various Car Lift Repair Orlando sealing structures differ, the principle is the same: metal surfaces or seals (such as O’Rings, ED seals, gaskets, and combination gaskets) are compressed between metal surfaces to form a seal and prevent hydraulic oil from spilling.

Flat Face Seal

Flat face seals include Etype port end seals, A Type port end seals, and O’Ring face seals.

 E Type port end seal: Features a metric fine thread with an annular groove structure. The threads have good self locking properties and resist vibration and loosening. The groove structure requires packing seals made of fluoroelastomer or nitrile rubber, ensuring a seal and reducing leakage risk.

 Car Lift Repair Orlando BSPT threads are tapered like NPT threads but with different pitches, resulting in a slightly different sealing method.

 Car Lift Repair Orlando O’Ring face seal (ORFS): Features a groove at the fitting thread end for the O’Ring. When tightened, the O’Ring and the top of the other fitting form a tight seal, preventing leakage.

Tapered Face Seals

Tapered seals include flare type seals, 24° tapered seals, 30° tapered seals, and compression seals.

 Flared face seal: The male thread’s raised tapered face (flare seat) and the female thread’s recessed face (inverted flare) create a metal to metal seal when tightened together. Common angles are 37° and 45° for hydraulic fittings.

 Car Lift Repair Orlando 24° tapered seal: A composite seal combining a metal to metal hard seal with a metal face and an O’Ring elastic seal. The fitting end has a 24° flare (seal bevel angle) and metric fine thread. This German standard seal is suitable for components requiring high pressure resistance and sealing capability. Fittings are classified as light or heavy duty based on pressure resistance.

Hydraulic Fitting Chart

 24° internal chamfer: DIN/Metric

 30° internal chamfer: BSPP, NPTF/NPSM

 30° external flare: Komatsu, JIS

 37° external flare: JIC, Metric/GB

 45° external flare: SAE 45°, AN 45°

 Flat: ORFS/ORB, Metric, BSPT

Selecting the right Car Lift Repair Orlando sealing method is crucial for preventing leaks and ensuring the longevity and efficiency of hydraulic systems. Properly sealed fittings prevent damage, downtime, and additional costs.

30° Cone Seal

The 30° cone seal features a metric fine thread or British pipe thread with a groove on the male end and a metric fine thread with a 30° taper on the female end, requiring an O’Ring. 

Make sure you always practice the safety precautions stated in your manufacturer’s manuals. Be sure to have your staff read and sign off on all safety regulations.