Centritec Seals - A Leading Non-Contact Seal Manufacturer
Mechanical Shaft Seal Installed

Centrifugal Seals Vs. Rotary Lip Seals

Lip seals are designed to close spaces between both stationary and moving components. Primarily, lip seals prevent lubricant leakage, though they also act as a barrier to prevent contamination. A lip seal itself is a simple component, which often performs as intended at initial installation, and degrades – sometimes quickly – after installation.

The patented design of Centritec Seals offers a variety of operational and performance benefits compared to lip seals, and are quickly becoming the preferred sealing solution for a variety of applications.

THE CENTRITEC SEAL DIFFERENCE

Centritec Seals offer superior performance and critical reliability benefits when compared to lip seals. By reducing maintenance and downtime that can occur when lip seals fail, Centritec Seals can help to reduce costs, and are ideal for applications with long run times.

Reduced Friction Compared to Lip Seals

Centritec Seals feature an internal, centrifugal pressure sealing method that allows these seals to operate with much greater efficiency than lip seals. As Centritec Seals rotate, a pressurized barrier is created that keeps lubricant in and contaminants out. The controlled fluid cavity between the seal’s inner race and outer race results in a non-contact operation,eliminating wear and significantly reducing friction. This reduction in friction also increases efficiency and, in some applications, allows for lower lubricant fluid levels or lubrication with very low viscosities.

Lip seals, by comparison, require that the seal be in direct contact with the machinery – be it a rotating shaft or bearing housing – to prevent leakage. The direct contact of the lip seal and the equipment (which is vibrating and/or moving) can quickly lead to wear, shortening lifespan of the seal and equipment (shaft) and effecting seal integrity. Lip seal contact friction also results in parasitic drag, further reducing efficiency.

Materially Superior

Centritec Seals are manufactured using a metal housing and metal interior components. Their non-contact, centrifugal construction was specifically developed to withstand continuous, high-speed operations with a self-venting, frictionless design.

Lip seals are commonly produced using rubber or plastic materials to form the seal between the rotating and nonrotating surfaces, this contact surface is prone to wear and shafts are typically hardened. This wear is often furthered by environmental conditions, including exposure to temperature fluctuations, moisture, freezing and dirt. Rubber and plastic materials are especially susceptible to this type of damage from exposure, and can cause a lip seal to deteriorate, crack or structurally fatigue.

The standard materials used to manufacture lip seals often shorten lifespan and increase downtime, resulting in a total cost that is much higher than often anticipated by the engineer.

Increased Seal Flexibility

With lip seals, proper alignment is crucial to installation. It is critical that the seal lip sit properly on the shaft and that a film of oil be maintained between the lip seal and the shaft. While an improperly aligned lip seal can leak immediately after installation, often it is only after exposure to vibration and application conditions, that lip seal alignment issues become apparent.

By design, Centritec Seals support flexible axial alignment and require less maintenance and monitoring. Additionally, these seals can be installed both in horizontal and vertical applications, providing additional design flexibility compared to lip seals.

CENTRITEC SEALS VS. LIP SEALS COMPARISON

The following comparison represents common lip seal types and applications, and is meant as a general reference of the performance characteristics between non-contact Centritec Seals and typical lip seals.

Operating Parameters

Centritec Seal

Lip Seal

Sealing Method

Centrifugal pressure

Force fit contact between seal and shaft

Degree of Contact

100% Non-Contact

100% contact with shaft

Speed

Up to 50,000 rpm

Dependent on material (plastic or rubber) & diameter, typically less than 2500 rpm

Friction

Zero

High (speed related)

Lubricants

Oils, greases, water, gases

Oil, grease, water

Operating Pressures

Speed dependent with 0 to 50 psi

2.5 psi

Vibration

Completely tolerant

Limited tolerance

Alignment

Non-dependent

Precise alignment, oil film required

Heat Buildup

Self-venting & purging

Not self-venting or purging

Temperature Range

Up to 650°F

Based on material, up to 212°F for typical nitrile rubber, up to 480°F for PTFE

Power Loss

None

By friction

Installation

No special tooling

Tooling required, shaft cleaning often required

Contact us for more information or to discuss how Centritec Seals can replace your current lip seal components.