2. Oil seal structure and functions
The metal case and spring material used in the oil seal should be selected based on the substance to be sealed.
Table 6 shows how to select the metal case and spring materials.
Requirements of the shaft
Even more important than a correct interference fit of the Oil Seal is a perfectly smooth shaft in the region of the seal, particularly if shaft surface speed is high and the medium to be sealed is under a certain amount of excess pressure. The surface roughness of the shaft depends on the average profile depth Ra of the tool marks caused by the machining process. Oil Seals made of PTFE require, independent of the surface speed, a surface roughness of between 0,1 to 0,2 mm, because PTFE has less wear resistance than rubber seals. For normal circumstances, the shaft in the region of the seal must have a surface roughness of approximately: To summarize, the surface of the shaft in the region of the seal should not have noticeable machining marks. For pivoting shafts and other difficult or critical sealing applications, it is recommended that Oil Seals with a helical groove hydrodynamic pattern, which has a pumping effect, be used. When grinding and polishing, an axial movement of the grindstone along the shaft must be avoided in order to prevent machine lay.
Our suppliers try to provide the best quality oil seals and products are in some cases optimised to improve performance and fitment. Corteco is one of these brands, whose case studies we have listed for you.

Most oil seals are designed to support very low-pressure (8 psi or less) applications. If at all, there will be additional pressure along the way, pressure relief should be put into play. This is why it’s important to know the characteristics of the oil seals you are considering and compare them with your application.
The metal used in the outer case of oil seals is usually made of carbon steel. Upon request, and depending on quantities, a different type of steel (such as stainless steel) can be used.
Figure 2.9. Metal to rubber bonded seal
First, an elastomer, most often nitrile, is vulcanised to a metal ring. This creates a stiffening effect that includes a specialised metal tension spring directly behind the sealing lip, keeping the oil seal firmly in place against the moving part.