Hydraulic & Fluid Seals

Rod Seals

For linear and reciprocating dynamic sealing applications

High-Pressure - Ultra-High Pressure - Long-Life


Example of a rod seal installation	Rod seal profile view

The Rod Seal is the most critical seal on any type of fluid power equipment. A leaking rod seal not only reduces equipment performance, but also causes environmental issues... More Info

Seal Design:

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


Fig. 1 Cutaway view of a non-symmetrical rod seal S17	Fig. 2 Uninstalled view of a non-symmetrical rod seal S17	Fig. 2b Installed view of a non-symmetrical rod seal S17

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 rod 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’ rod seals are precision machined for a sharp sealing edge that cannot be achieved by a net-molding process (Fig. 3).
Knife-edge seal lip design offers good scraping properties but reduced sealing performance and is used for sealing applications with high fluid contamination (Fig. 4).
Straight seal lip design offers good scraping properties but reduced sealing performance and is used for sealing applications with high fluid contamination (Fig. 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 rod to keep the rod bearing and seal lubricated (Fig. 6).

Lip Geometry

Our Rod Seals are classified as follows:

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

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


S17	S17B	S3	S1


R51	R53	S8	S17D


S1B	S16

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


R30	R55	R56

Rod Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Ultra High-Pressure Rod Seals (4000 - 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)


S17A	S17C	S4	S2


S2A	R50	R52

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


S20	R54	R56B

Rod Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Long-Life Rod Seals (0 – 5000psi*)

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


S17	S17A	S1	S1A


S1B	S2	S2A	R52


R53

Rod Seal SIZES & AVAILABILITY

Low Friction Rod Seals (0 – 5000psi*)

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


S9	S91	S92	S92C


VS-S19	VS-S19BL	S1A

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


S98	S68A	S93	S93P

Rod 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®, and 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 Rod 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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