Beyond Omniseal® Blog

Sealing against dynamic surfaces is a challenge that has been around for decades, if not centuries. It’s a challenge that has only grown in complexity with the early introduction and advancement, of automobiles, airplanes, and complex machinery. It’s one that thermoplastics like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) rotary lip seals (also known as rotary shaft seals) are increasingly relied upon to address today.

With the growth in older populations and chronic disorders, the need for surgical procedures is rising, among them microsurgeries—an evolving discipline of surgery that typically deals with very small structures such as blood vessels and nerves or sensitive areas such as tissue and cartilage and performed with the assistance of microscopic and special miniaturized instruments. Since precision and reliability are critical in this type of surgery, technological innovation has led to compact tools, which are enabling smaller incisions to be made, lowering risk of infection and potentially shortening recovery as well as reducing costs over traditional surgeries. 

In the manufacturing and industrial field, having a reliable energy source to generate power and perform functions can make or break a business. This is why compressor air systems are a critical part and imperative for both small and large-scale businesses. Just how important are they, and what can happen if they are not working effectively? An estimated 30 to 50 percent of energy used in a compressed air system is wasted during operation. 

Today’s Tech Tip is on selecting high-temperature materials to meet the unique sealing needs of the aerospace industry.  This topic seems especially appropriate given the recent celebration of Earth Day; an event that is synonymous with environmental protection. Sealing is itself a way to protect the environment; especially when you are sealing chemicals or oils as in the case of a turbofan jet engine where the high temperature makes this task more challenging.  Turbofans are the most-common type of jet engine since they are used in commercial aircraft, transports and military aircraft; therefore, selecting the right high-temperature material is essentially an automatic concern for aerospace designers, along with reducing total weight for better fuel efficiency.

Are you familiar with OmniSeal^® polymer spring-energized seals and rotary lip seals? Ever wonder why spring-energized seals have a jacket and spring while lip seals have a metal casing? How do these two unique designs benefit your application? Lifetime confidence is just one of the key benefits; here are several more reasons OmniSeal^® parts should be your seal of choice.