Correcting Issues With Industrial Equipment

3 Possible Causes Of Hydraulic Seal Failure

20 September 2021 by Joann Freeman

Seals may seem like inconsequential items, but they can have a profound effect on the performance of any hydraulic system. Damaged or improper seals could compromise the safety and efficiency of your hydraulic system.

It's critical that you become familiar with the potential causes of hydraulic seal damage so that you will be prepared to spot seals that are at risk of failing in the near future.

1. Heat Erosion

A lot of friction can occur within a hydraulic system. This friction generates heat, which can have a damaging effect on the seals within your hydraulic machinery.

When seals are exposed to high levels of heat over an extended period of time, they can become brittle or begin to melt. Heat-damaged hydraulic seals could fail at any time, putting the safety of your hydraulic machinery at risk.

Check the integrity of your seals often to ensure that heat erosion doesn't result in seal failure in the future.

2. Chemical Erosion

In addition to being exposed to high heat levels within a hydraulic system, seals are also exposed to many different chemical solutions. Exposure to harsh chemicals can weaken the structural integrity of hydraulic seals.

The best way to avoid seal failure caused by chemical erosion is to select seals made from the right materials.

The materials used to manufacture your seals should be durable enough to withstand exposure to the harsh chemicals found within your hydraulic system. If seals made from less durable materials are used, chemical erosion will inevitably lead to seal failure.

3. Contamination Damage

It's critical that hydraulic systems be kept clean if you want to prevent seal failure. Contaminant particles that find their way into a hydraulic system can wreak havoc on the quality of that system's seals.

These particles act as abrasives in high-pressure hydraulic systems. Since hydraulic seals are made from soft and pliable materials, exposure to these abrasive contaminant particles can cause seals to tear.

Torn seals contribute to hydraulic leaks and could shorten the lifespan of vital hydraulic components. Be sure that you regularly clean your hydraulic equipment and utilize hydraulic fluid filters to avoid any seal failures that are caused by contamination.

Being able to recognize why hydraulic seals fail will allow you to take preventative action to protect your seals against any major failures in the future.

Replace any seals showing signs of heat erosion, chemical erosion, or contamination damage to ensure your hydraulic machinery runs efficiently. Contact a company that sells hydraulic seals to learn more.

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