How to Augment the Shelf Life of Industrial Seals?

Industrial seals are used at the interfaces between components to prevent leakage. There are several types of seals available, each with its own unique construction and usage. Many seals have a limited lifespan, and the shelf life majorly depends on how they are used and stored. In order to get the most out of your seal, it is important to know how to properly store it when not in use. If you don’t take proper care of your seals, they will deteriorate faster, leading to poor sealing performance. This post will tell you know about the most common problems that occur with poorly stored seals. You will also get to know about the factors to consider when storing your industrial seal.  

As mentioned earlier, industrial seals are critical components that are used to prevent unwanted leaks, along with protecting the internal environment of sensitive components of turbines, engines, among others. However, some seals fail due to improper handling and storage. These failures can be costly as the use of damaged seal can cause product damage as well as contamination inside static and dynamic interfaces.

Maintaining the shelf life of your industrial seals can be tricky. Most times, industrial users purchase seals in bulk and store them for later use. In case the storage is not proper, it will drastically affect the performance and shelf life when put for industrial seals for applications later. The following are a few simple tips for storing your seals in order to maintain their quality whilst preventing spoilage.

1. Excessive swell
2. Spiral failure
3. Weather or ozone cracking
4. Change in properties
5. Change in color
6. Cracking
7. Softening
8. Hardening

Maintaining the shelf life of your industrial seals can be tricky. Most times, industrial users purchase seals in bulk and store them for later use. In case the storage is not proper, it will drastically affect the performance and shelf life when put for industrial seals for applications later. The following are a few simple tips for storing your seals in order to maintain their quality whilst preventing spoilage.

•    Temperature: Ensure to store the seals that are not in use in the prescribed temperature range. Most times, the ideal temperature range shall be between 15°C and 25°C. Also, it is not recommended to store them near radiator, boiler or any heater, or in areas where they get direct exposure to sunlight.

•    Humidity: Set a proper storage area where your seals do not expose to moisture content. In case such instances occur, you may slowly warm the seal to 20°C or to ambient temperature before using for sealing purposes.
 
•     Cleaning: Suppose you are taking the seal after a long time of storage for applications, ensure to clean them gently before using. You are safe to do this with clean cloth and warm water; however, refrain from using sand paper or steel brush for cleaning purposes.

•    Ozone: Be informed that ozone deteriorates industrial seals. Hence, it must be protected from circulating air and stored away from electric motor, or mercury vapor lamps.Be informed that ozone deteriorates industrial seals. Hence, it must be protected from circulating air and stored away from electric motor, or mercury vapor lamps.

•    Light and Radiation: Ensure not to store industrial seals under direct light source with high UV radiation. It is always recommended to keep them inside packages that come with optimal UV protection and other radiation hazards.

•    Contact with Chemicals and Metals: Your polymer seals must be safe from direct contact with oils, greases, different solvents, and other chemicals. Also, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with certain kids of metals like iron, copper and its alloys (brass), and manganese.

In addition to the aforementioned points, you must make sure that you are not storing the industrial seals for a long time than the prescribed storage time. Also, when you are taking the seals for installation after a long time of storage, it is highly recommended to check the condition thoroughly before installation. Most of the issues like softening, stickiness or discoloration and cracking can be detected with just visual inspection. Refrain from using such deformed seals as such seals usually cause failure to the entire system. In case if you would like to know more about the proper storage of industrial seals when not in use, you can check the same with the manufacturer you procure the seal from. Industry leading manufacturers like SSP Seals offer expert customer assistance, clear your doubts, and offer tips to augmenting the shelf life of the seals.