10 Common Sealing Challenges OEMs Face and How to Solve Them
For OEMs, a seal may be a small component, but its performance can have a major impact on the reliability, efficiency and lifespan of the finished equipment. Choosing the wrong seal, material or design can result in leakage, premature failure, downtime and costly maintenance.
From hydraulic cylinders and pumps to industrial machinery and specialist equipment, OEMs need sealing solutions that are designed around the demands of the application.
Here are 10 common sealing challenges OEMs face, and how to solve them.
1. Choosing the wrong sealing material
Different applications expose seals to different temperatures, pressures, chemicals and operating conditions. A material that performs well in one application may fail quickly in another.
The solution: Consider the complete operating environment when selecting a material. Factors such as temperature, media compatibility, pressure, wear and chemical resistance should all be assessed. Specialist sealing manufacturers can help identify the most suitable material or compound.
2. Seal failure at high pressure
High-pressure applications can put significant stress on seals, potentially causing extrusion, deformation or premature failure.
The solution: Select a seal specifically designed for the pressure and movement involved. The correct profile, material, hardness and supporting components—such as back-up rings—can all help improve high-pressure performance.
3. Leakage and premature seal wear
Repeated leakage can indicate that a seal is not suited to the application. Excessive friction, incorrect installation, surface damage or unsuitable materials can all contribute to premature wear.
The solution: Look beyond the seal itself. Shaft and bore finishes, tolerances, lubrication, installation and operating conditions can all affect sealing performance. A technical assessment can help identify the underlying cause of failure.
4. Finding the right seal for extreme temperatures
OEM equipment may operate in environments with very high or very low temperatures. Standard sealing materials may lose their flexibility, harden, soften or degrade when exposed to temperatures outside their recommended range.
The solution: Choose a material engineered for the expected temperature range, while also considering pressure and media compatibility. Specialist compounds are available for particularly demanding applications.
5. Sealing against aggressive chemicals or media
Oils, fuels, solvents, gases, chemicals and other media can attack certain elastomers and cause swelling, cracking or degradation.
The solution: Material compatibility should be considered at the design stage. Selecting a seal based on both the operating temperature and the specific media it will encounter can significantly improve service life.
6. Standard seals don't quite fit the application
Standard seals are often the most cost-effective choice, but they cannot meet every application requirement. OEMs may encounter unusual dimensions, limited installation space, demanding operating conditions or a requirement for a particular sealing profile.
The solution: Consider a custom-engineered seal. A specialist manufacturer can design and manufacture a sealing solution around the OEM's specific requirements, rather than forcing the application to fit an existing standard.
7. Balancing sealing performance with friction
A seal needs to provide reliable contact, but excessive friction can reduce efficiency, increase wear and generate heat. This can be particularly important in dynamic applications involving reciprocating or rotary movement.
The solution: Optimise the seal profile, material and interference for the application. In some cases, a specially designed low-friction seal can provide reliable sealing while reducing resistance during operation.
8. Maintaining consistent quality across production runs
For OEMs, sealing performance needs to be consistent from prototype through to full production. Variations in materials, dimensions or manufacturing quality can create problems further down the supply chain.
The solution: Work with a sealing partner that can provide consistent manufacturing, inspection and quality control. Appropriate testing and dimensional inspection can help ensure seals meet the required specification.
9. Long lead times and supply chain disruption
A seal failure is problematic enough, but waiting weeks for a replacement can bring equipment or production lines to a standstill. OEMs also need reliable supply when moving from development into repeat production.
The solution: Consider availability and supply continuity when selecting a sealing partner. Access to stock, global manufacturing capabilities, technical sourcing and repeat-order support can all help reduce supply risks.
10. Identifying the root cause of repeated seal failures
Replacing a failed seal with an identical part may provide a temporary fix—but if the underlying problem has not been identified, the failure may happen again.
The solution: Investigate the complete application. A sealing specialist can assess the existing seal, operating conditions, materials, dimensions and failure mode to determine whether a different profile, material or design could provide a more reliable solution.
The Right Seal Can Make a Big Difference
For OEMs, sealing should not be an afterthought. The right sealing solution can help improve equipment reliability, reduce maintenance requirements, minimise downtime and extend component life.
At M Seals, we support OEMs with more than standard seal supply. Our capabilities include seal selection, design, manufacturing, testing, inspection and technical support, helping customers find solutions for both standard and demanding applications.
Whether you need an off-the-shelf seal or a completely engineered solution, choosing the right sealing partner can help ensure your equipment performs as it should.
Have a sealing challenge?
Talk to M Seals about your application and find the right sealing solution for your equipment.