All You Need To Know About U-Seals
If you’re on the lookout for a U-seal but don’t know much about this specific part, the various terminologies used online can get very confusing very fast. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about them! Hopefully, once you’re done reading this article, choosing the right U-seal for your application will become much easier.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
What is a U-seal?
U-seals, as the name suggests, are U-shaped seals that have an inside dynamic sealing lip and an outside static sealing lip. The seal is fitted where a pipe is connected to another pipe with the help of a pull-ring connection. When used together, the pull-ring connection and U-seal ensure a tighter connection and make it easier to repair and replace parts without having to pull the entire system apart.
Types of U-seal materials
Experienced manufacturers in the UK produce U-seals in a number of materials, including Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) seals, silicone seals, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) seals, and Viton seals. The type of material that is best for each application depends on the industry for which it is required.
Properties of U-seals
Tear-resistant
The best quality U-seals are tear-resistant. When exposed to different chemicals and materials, certain materials can erode and tear. While no frequently working part of a manufacturing process can avoid undergoing wear and tear, it is always a plus when the time required between repairs and replacements is longer. Different rubber qualities are used to withstand different thermal and chemical conditions. The pull-ring system also allows for easier repairs and replacements of U-seals should one get damaged.
Food grade
In case where they are used in food processing equipment, they should be made using food-grade materials that are compliant with EC 1935/2004 directive regulations as well as American FDA standards. Some manufacturers in the UK also use special detectable designs in their U-seals to make it easier to detect any pieces of the seal that may become dislodged during routine cleaning and maintenance. Using this design, minuscule particles of metal are added to the seal when it is being manufactured, to make it easier to detect through a metal detector.
Chemically inert
The material used to create a U-seal must be chemically inert, especially when used in the food or pharmaceutical industries. When a U-seal that is made of a material that is not chemically inert comes in contact with a reactive gas or product and reacts with it, it can contaminate the entire production process. A U-seal that has been vulcanised to be resistant to many chemicals is usually the best bet.
Durable
During the manufacturing process of any product, pipework systems are often exposed to a significant amount of heat and pressure. A good quality U-seal when used with a pull-ring system needs to be thin, yet robust and tough and must be able to resist heat and high pressure.
Temperature resistance
Temperature resistance properties and other characteristics of U shaped seals must be tested according to the working conditions to prevent major machine failures, maintenance downtime, and loss of productivity. Depending upon your industry, the type of U-seal that works best for the temperatures you work with will defer. This is why you should get in touch with the manufacturer to find out how many temperature fluctuations the U-seal you are interested in can withstand.
Getting the highest quality U-seals in the UK
When looking for a U-seal and not sure about the type, diameter, size and material of U-seal that fits your application the best, the simplest solution is usually to purchase directly from a manufacturer. When you purchase directly from a manufacturer, not only do you get the same superior quality of seals every time, you may also be able to consult with their engineers to find more about their products and how they recommend them to be used, and may also get customised solutions. This way, you get the maximum benefit out of your purchase.
Whether you choose silicone, EPDM, Viton or Nitrile Butadiene Rubber seals in the UK always go straight to the manufacturer to get the best quality products at the best rates without any middleman.
