Why seals fail
Most leaks trace back to a handful of causes: the material is attacked by the fluid it seals, the temperature hardens or softens it, the groove or flange gives the wrong compression, or the part is damaged during fitting.
Know the medium you are sealing
Water, mineral oil, fuel, steam, air and cleaning chemicals each affect elastomers differently. A rubber that performs well with water may swell in oil. Always state the exact medium — including additives or cleaning agents — when asking for a seal.
Static vs dynamic sealing
Static seals, such as flange gaskets and enclosure seals, stay still once fitted. Dynamic seals sit against moving shafts or pistons and need materials and profiles that resist wear and friction. Telling your supplier which type you need narrows the options quickly.
Compression and hardness
A seal works by being squeezed. Too little compression leaks; too much can crack or extrude the material. Hardness (usually given as Shore A for rubber) changes how a seal compresses, so share the groove or flange dimensions along with any hardness requirement.
What to send with a sealing enquiry
The more of these you can provide, the more accurate the recommendation and quotation will be.
- Drawing, sample or photo with dimensions
- Medium being sealed and operating temperature range
- Pressure, if any, and whether the seal is static or dynamic
- Outdoor exposure, UV or ozone conditions
- Required quantity
Have a requirement in mind?
Describe it to our AI finder or send it straight to the team.
