Custom Sealing Components: Who Needs Them & Why?

In many cases, standard seals are adequate because the applications they are used in are not that demanding. Basic materials and a limited size range do not matter since the seals do a good enough job and they are relatively cheap and easy to obtain.

In many applications, however, where there are challenges (such as extremes of temperature, high pressure and harsh chemicals) and a need for exceptional performance, standard seals are just not good enough. In these cases, only custom seals will do the job properly.

Who Needs Custom Sealing Components?

Custom seals differ to standard seals in terms of their shape, size, processing method and the materials used. They are needed in any industry and application where standard versions are too limited to be able to cope with the demands. These industries include:

• Aerospace, where the conditions are extremely challenging and failure is not an acceptable option since absolute safety is essential. Custom seals are widely used in engines and hydraulic systems.
• Automotive that demands high reliability from all components. Seals are used in engines and transmissions, and increasingly in electric vehicles for battery seals and thermal management.
• Oil and gas, where the process experiences corrosive chemicals as well as high pressures and temperatures. The avoidance of leakages is essential because escapes not only cause a loss of production but can also damage the environment.
• Medical and pharmaceuticals, where sterile environments need to be maintained and strict compliance with regulations is necessary.
• Food and beverage require the use of food safe components and absolute hygiene to maintain the integrity of products.
• Semiconductor manufacturing needs a clean room environment so leaks cannot be allowed.

Any industry where flow control is critical will need to use custom seals since a failure to do so will have a negative impact on fluid movement. They are also essential for equipment that has a complex design where standard seals will not provide a proper fit. Standard seals may be unable to provide the necessary sealing pressure, resulting in leaks, a loss of output and reduced efficiency, which custom seals can rectify.

Why Custom Seals are Needed

Custom seals provide benefits that standard versions, due to their limitations, just cannot manage:

1. They perform well in challenging conditions where corrosive chemicals, extremes of temperature and very high pressure will cause the failure of standard seals. Custom seals, however, are made from robust materials that will withstand those challenging environments.
2. Since custom seals are tailored for particular situations, they give a perfect fit and will require much less frequent replacement due to reduced friction and wear.
3. Custom seals are specifically made to comply with regulatory requirements and safety standards.
4. Through the use of close collaboration and prototyping, custom seals help with the development of new products and therefore support innovation.
5. Being designed for specific applications, custom seals reduce yield losses for gases and fluids, maximise output and generally improve efficiency.
6. The materials used are much more durable for particular environments and so give a longer operational life.

Custom seals are undeniably more expensive to acquire than standard versions due to the required design work and additional tooling. Nevertheless, their greater reliability and durability repay that initial investment several times over due to lower operational costs and increased efficiency.

In situations where standard seals just are not good enough for your needs, we will help you to obtain all the many benefits that custom seals can deliver. For a comprehensive service that will provide precisely the seals you need and support your operation, get in touch today.