What are PTFE Seals?
Sealing solutions are found in almost every machine and vehicle across industries, where they serve to defend against potential component damage by external environmental factors and protect against air and fluid leakage. Seals made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)—also commonly referred to by the brand name Teflon®— have become popular for their inertness when interacting with most chemicals and acids, as well as an ability to handle a broad range of temperatures, pressures, and shaft speeds. Sometimes called oil seals, fluid seals, or dirt seals, PTFE seals see broad usage in numerous industries, including mining, agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, and many others.
PTFE Materials
At MSP Seals, our PTFE seals are manufactured by creating a custom blend of virgin PTFE with different fillers to add or enhance specific physical properties. The vast number of filler options have facilitated the development of numerous types of PTFE. Some of the most common fillers include:
- As the most common filler, polyesters, such as fiberglass, offer good wear resistance, low creep, good compressive strength, and excellent chemical compatibility.
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). MoS2 improves wear resistance and lowers the coefficient of friction for the seal. This filler is commonly combined with glass and bronze.
- Adding carbon to PTFE increases compression, wear resistance, thermal conductivity. It also lowers permeability.
- As a crystal modification of high-purity carbon, graphite offers excellent lubricity and wear resistance.
- Bronze. While bronze has higher friction properties than other filled PTFE, it provides excellent wear resistance and thermal conductivity.
A wide range of seals use PTFE materials, such as:
- Fluid power cylinder piston and rod seals and rod wipers
- Lantern rings
- O-rings
- PTFE lipped oil seals
- Spring-loaded U-cups
- Specially engineered seals
Advantages of PTFE Seals
PTFE seals often perform well in environments where other elastomers cannot. The primary benefits associated with PTFE seals include:
- Extreme chemical resistance. The inert material reduces the risk of seal failure in chemical process equipment or other machinery that comes in contact with chemicals.
- Tolerating speeds up to 30 m/s. PTFE seals perform better than other seals in applications with higher shaft speeds because they have the lowest friction coefficient.
- Broad operating temperature range. PTFE seals operate well in harsh environments and have a wide operating temperature range from –70 to +250°C (–95 to 480°F).
- Ability to withstand dry running. The self-lubricating property of PTFE seals allows use in dry applications.
- Unlimited shelf life. PTFE is not affected by ultraviolet light and will not age or degrade in storage.
- Excellent electrical properties. PTFE can be formulated with very high electrical resistance.
Why Partner with MSP Seals?
At MSP Seals, we offer a broad portfolio of standard solutions and will produce custom-engineered PTFE seals to meet unique application needs. Our material options include Virgin PTFE and PTFE loaded with polyesters, carbon, graphite, bronze, MoS2, or any other available filler. Our team can supply PTFE seals in all quantities, from single pieces to high-volume production runs.
MSP Seals is ISO 9001:2015-certified and ISO 14001:2015 certified and dedicated to quality, innovation, and superior customer service. Please contact us today to see how our PTFE seals and other products can support your project.
