Tag Archives: pressure

How Temperature and Pressure Affect Seal Performance

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Small components, such as seals, play a major role in keeping industrial systems running smoothly. Whether it is an HVAC unit, a hydraulic system, an automotive engine, or a manufacturing line, seals, including specialty seals designed for demanding applications, prevent leaks, maintain pressure, and protect equipment from contaminants. To prevent breakdowns, minimize downtimes, and extend the life of your machinery, it is important to understand how temperature and pressure affect seal performance.

How Temperature and Pressure Affect Seal Performance

Temperature

One of the biggest factors that influences how well a seal performs is temperature. Regardless of material, whether rubber, silicone, PTFE, nitrile, or fluorocarbon, there is a specific temperature range in which it works best. Working outside this window can cause rapid deterioration.

1. Heat Can Accelerate Material Degradation: High temperatures cause seal materials to weaken over time. Sustained exposure to heat can lead to:

  • Softening – can result in extrusion under pressure
  • Hardening – makes the seal brittle and prone to cracking
  • Loss of elasticity – results in poor sealing performance
  • Chemical breakdown – particularly in oils, fuels, and chemical processing applications

For instance, a nitrile seal is expected to perform excellently at moderate temperatures. But in a high-heat environment like that found in engine components, it can quickly degrade.

2. Cold Temperatures Can Cause Shrinkage and Embrittlement

Low temperatures can make many materials rigid. This can cause:

  • Seal shrinkage, which can lead to gaps
  • Reduced flexibility, reducing the seal’s ability to maintain contact
  • Cracking, especially when there are rapid temperature drops

3. Rapid Temperature Changes Leading to Thermal Shock

Frequent heating and cooling may cause seals to expand and contract repeatedly. This can cause stress on the material, reduce its lifespan, and increase the risk of leaks. Compressors, industrial ovens, and similar systems should therefore use seals that withstand thermal cycling without deformation.

Pressure

You want your seals to maintain a tight, leak-free barrier. Pressure is the determining factor in how well your seals perform. However, while there are specific temperature ranges, they are also designed for specific pressure ranges. Exceeding those limits can mean failure. 

  1. High pressure Can Lead to Extrusion: When seals are exposed to pressure that they are not designed to withstand, the material can be pushed or extruded, resulting in:
    • Material deformation
    • Rapid wear
    • Complete seal blowout
  2. Low Pressure Can Lead to Insufficient Seal Compression: Low pressure can prevent seals from fully compressing, leading to leaks. This is common in pneumatic systems, such as industrial automation, dental drills, air brakes on buses and trains, and tools like nail guns.
  3. Pressure Fluctuations Increase Wear: Pumps, valves, hydraulics, and other equipment that frequently switch between high and low pressure require seals with high resistance and durability.

Combined Effects of Temperature and Pressure Together

Real-world operations usually require simultaneous temperature and pressure. The problem with them working together is that their effects are amplified.

  • High temperature + high pressure: This leads to the acceleration of chemical and mechanical wear
  • Low temperature + high pressure: Low temperature makes seals less flexible and slightly shrinks. This is when the seal can easily crack or split in high temperatures because it cannot deform to relieve stress.
  • Wide temperature fluctuations + pressure changes: This creates complex stress patterns that lead to loss of elasticity, material fatigue, microcracks, and leakage. 

How to Improve Seal Performance in Varying Conditions

Here are some steps you can take to help ensure seals last as long as possible.

  • Choose the appropriate material for both temperature and pressure ranges.
  • Use backup rings for high-pressure applications.
  • Avoid exposing seals to sudden extreme temperature shifts if you can help it.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
  • Schedule a regular inspection to catch wear and hardening before they become bigger problems.

Ensure Your Machinery Performs at Its Best

Seals may be small, but they have a big role in ensuring that your systems work smoothly. Two of the most critical factors that affect their performance are temperature and pressure. By understanding how they influence material behavior, you can choose the right seal materials for the operating environment.

If you have a machine that operates under demanding temperature and pressure conditions, selecting the right sealing solution is crucial. Whether you are looking for durable elastomers, specialty seals, or an engineered thermoplastic mechanical component designed for extreme environments, we will help you find the perfect match for your application. 

Make sure your machine performs at its best, no matter the condition. Contact us today to get expert guidance.

The Applications of the Injection Molding Process

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The Injection molding process is used to produce parts shaped via injecting material into a mold. It can be done with different materials but is most often done with thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. A material to manufacture a part will be fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and then forced into a mold where it cools and hardens to the shape of the cavity.

Injection molding is used to create a variety of parts, from small pieces to car body panels. 3D printing technology is starting to be used for the process as well since photopolymers can be used in simple injection molds.

Parts that are to be molded have to be designed very carefully to make the molding process possible. Particular attention must be paid to the material used for the part, the shape and features of the part, the material of the mold, and the propertied of the molding machine.

Many things are created using injection molding. Wire spools, packaging, bottle caps, automotive parts and components are among some of the things manufactured using the process. It is the most common method used to manufacture plastic parts as high volumes of the same object can be made.

Injection molding has its benefits as a wide range of materials can be used and the labor costs remain low. Not a lot of scrap material is produced during the manufacture of parts and there is usually no need to do any finishing work to the parts.

Injection molding start up can be expensive to start because of the high cost of equipment and the running costs. Molds may cost a fair amount as well. But once a business is established the costs later on remain low.
There are many polymers that can be used for injection molding. In 1995, approximately 18, 000 materials were available for use in injection molding. That number was growing at a rate of approximately 750 per year. This allows product designers to choose a material that will specifically suit their needs. They will be able to find something that has exactly the right properties. Materials are generally chosen based on strength and function for the final product but each material’s molding parameters must also be considered.

Automotive Parts

Your vehicle is full of plastic components manufactured by injection molding. For example, the dashboard is, in all probability, made from plastic injection molding. Radio controls, window buttons, cup holders – they are all made using the injection molding process. There are exterior pieces of vehicles manufactured using the process as well.

Lids

All kinds of lids are made from plastic injection molding. Plastic bottle caps, plastic cup lids, pill bottle lids – all of these are made with injection molding.

Electrical Switches

Things we use every day, such as our light switch, have been made with injection molding. The whole electrical system in your home relies on plastic injection molding for consistently designed plastic components.

DVDs and CDs

Many discs are made through the process of injection molding. As well as the discs themselves, the cases are made via the process as well. Of course, the plastic storage stand was also mass produced using injection molding.

Medical Devices

Plastics are versatile, lightweight, sanitary, and replaceable so the healthcare industry relies heavily on the use of them. There are many medical devices that are manufactured using injection molding. Plastic syringes and some other medical implements can be produced using this process.

Real Seal manufactures and distributes seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.