Hydraulic & Fluid Seals

Piston Seals

For linear and reciprocating dynamic sealing applications

High-Pressure - Ultra-High Pressure - Long-Life - Low-Friction


Examples of Piston seal installation	Piston seal profile view example

American High Performance Seals’ non-symmetric lip or squeeze type piston seal designs, in which the diameter of the seal is undersized (Fig.2), are available for both bidirectional and unidirectional applications. This seal design ensures... More Info

Seal Design:

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Non-symmetrical piston seals are seals where the shape of the outside diameter lip differentiates from the inside diameter (see Fig. 1, outside lip thicker and shorter than inside lip).
Non-symmetrical piston seals provided by AHPSeals are not centered in the piston groove and provide sealing contact with the piston across the entire surface of the inside seal diameter.(Fig. 2)
Non-symmetrical piston seals are more stable and provide better sealing performance than symmetrical seals do.


Fig. 1 Cutaway view of a non-symmetrical piston seal	Fig. 2 Uninstalled view of a non-symmetrical piston seal	Fig. 2b Installed view of a non-symmetrical piston seal

Seal Design:

Lip vs. Squeeze Type Seals.
The basic design of a seal significantly affects the overall function of the seal, especially at low pressures. One of the most challenging applications is linear dynamic sealing at low pressure while providing low breakaway and running friction. AHPSeals provides a series of low-friction seals for these challenging applications.

Lip seals are without any energizing rubber elements; therefore, they provide a more flexible dynamic seal lip and are generally characterized by low friction, low wear and poor low-pressure sealing capabilities.
Squeeze seals typically incorporate an energizing rubber element and are generally characterized by high friction, high wear and good low-pressure sealing. To avoid a pressure trap between two seals and potential seal failure, do not use energizer loaded seals for back-to-back bidirectional piston sealing applications.

Lip Type Seals & Squeeze Type Seals

Lip Geometry:

Beveled seal lip or chamfered seal lip. Most of our piston seals feature this lip design as it provides the best fluid film breaking ability, which provides the best sealing performance. Sealing lips for all AHPSeals’ piston seals are precision machined for a sharp sealing edge that cannot be achieved by a net-molding process (Fig. 3).
Knife-edge and straight seal lip designs offer good scraping properties but reduced sealing performance and are used for sealing applications with high fluid contamination (Fig. 4 and 5).
Rounded seal lip is the least aggressive sealing lip and is typically used in pneumatic applications to maintain a microscopically thin oil or grease film on the bore to keep the piston bearing and seal lubricated (Fig. 6).

Lip Geometry

Our Piston Seals are classified as follows:

High Pressure Piston Seals (3000psi – 5000psi*)
Ultra High Pressure Piston Seals (4000psi – 28500psi*)
Long-Life Piston Seals (0 – 5000psi*)
Low Friction Piston Seals (0 – 5000psi*)

For your unique or special hydraulic and fluid seal application, contact our engineers to help you in specifying a seal that’s best suited for your situation.

Availability: Most standard or non-standard and application-specific designed hydraulic and fluid seals, in inch or metric sizes, are available with a 1-4 day turnaround.

Why American High Performance Seals?... More Info

High-Pressure Piston Seals (3000psi - 5000psi*)

Single-acting/unidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from one side)


K1	K1B	K3	K16

Double-acting/bidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from both sides)


K8B	K8A	K8D	K35


K8	K8C

Piston Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Ultra High-Pressure Piston Seals (4000psi - 28500psi*)
For pressures exceeding 8000psi (550bar), please consult our engineers at engineering@ahpseals.com or call 1-800-283-7140 for advice.

Single-acting/unidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from one side)


K2	K4	K2A

Double-acting/bidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from both sides)


P53	K81B2	K81S	K20


P50	P52	P51	P54


P55	P56	P57

Piston Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Long-Life Piston Seals (0 – 5000psi*)

Single-acting/unidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from one side)


K1	K1A	K1B	K2


K2A	K16

Piston Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Low Friction Piston Seals (0 – 5000psi*)

Single-acting/unidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from one side)


K1A	VS-K19	K82

Double-acting/bidirectional (capable of sealing pressure from both sides)


K8	K81	K81B2	K8E


K8F

Piston Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Seal Materials: The selection of the best material has a critical impact on achieving the best sealing performance. Our comprehensive range of leading edge standard-,high- and low-temperature materials include: High-performance Polyurethane (P101), Nitrile, Viton®, H-Nbr, PTFE (Teflon®), filled PTFE, Aflas®, Hytrel®, Kalrez®, EPDM, Silicone, FDA compliant materials, Nylon, Nylatron®, POM, UHMWPE, Tefzel®, Peek, along with our proprietary specialized materials. More Info on Materials

*Pressure values are guidelines that depend on seal material, seal configuration, seal housing design, fluid or medium, operating temperatures, pressures, surface speed, and working environment. For maximum seal life expectancy, do not operate your seal beyond 75% of its operating limits.
For pressures exceeding 8000psi:Please consult our engineers at engineering@ahpseals.com or call 1-800-283-7140 for advice.

For your unique or special hydraulic and fluid seal application, contact our engineers to help you in specifying a seal that’s best suited for your situation.

Applications & Industries

AHPSeals Piston Seals are currently in successful service in the following industries:

Steel Works
Government, Military and Defense
Abrasive Substance Pumps and Valves
Pharmaceuticals
Can and Package Filling Machines
Oil-Field Exploration and Production
Paint and Solvent Manufacture and Application
Adhesives Dispensing Valves and Cylinders
Chemical Pumps
Cryogenic Liquid Control Components
Liquid Handling Swivel Joints
Hydraulics
Construction Equipment
Drilling Equipment

Chemical Pumps and Valves
Heavy Mobile Equipment
Mining
Rubber and Plastics
Presses
Food Processing
Space Exploration
Marine
Tire Production
Low Friction
Vacuum Service
Automotive Plants
Pharmaceutical Production
Domestic Goods Production
Many other applications

American High Performance Seals assumes no obligation or liability for any advice furnished, or results obtained with respect to these products. All such advice is given and accepted at the buyer’s risk. This information, based on our experience, is offered as part of our service to customers. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. We do not guarantee favorable results, and we assume no liability in connection with its use.

Contact Information
Toll Free: (800) 283-7140
Fax: (412) 788-8816
Email: ahpseals@ahpseals.com

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