Hydraulic Cylinder Seals Play a Vital Role in the Hydraulic System.

Hydraulic Cylinder Seals Play a Vital Role in the Hydraulic System.

Hydraulic Cylinder Seals Play a Vital Role in the Hydraulic System.
Hydraulic cylinder seals are commonly found in applications where components are exposed to fluids. They play a vital role within the hydraulic system as they enable the transfer of fluid power to linear motion. Hydraulic cylinder seals are produced from a variety of materials, including rubber and polyurethane. Despite their durability, seals can fail or cause serious damage if settings are not correct. Oil contamination, high temperature, chemical erosion, or poor installation can result in failure of hydraulic cylinder seals and damage to the wider system.

Hydraulic Oil Contamination
The main cause of hydraulic cylinder seal failure is contamination within the system. Hydraulic oil contamination increases the risk of internal leakage as well as reducing the flow and pressure control in the valves. Then this can eventually waste horsepower and cause the system to overheat.

Contamination can consist of hydraulic oil, environmental exposure, system wear, manufacturing process and service. Also, impurities may enter the system when the rod is retracted. Therefore, it is best to consider installing a stick scraper. This oil contamination can be avoided if the hydraulic oil is properly filtered. A scratched rod and cylinder surface, excessive seal wear and oil leakage can be the result of contamination and your oil needs to be thoroughly cleaned as soon as possible.

High Temperature in Hydraulic System
If the hydraulic cylinder seals appear hard and brittle, or if the sealing lip or body is worn, the temperature of the oil in the cylinder may be too high. High temperature for a long time may cause the gasket to lose its functionality. For example, excessive compression or damage to the gasket material. This could be because the gaskets were not made with the right materials, had too much friction or were close to a heat source.

Chemical Erosion in Hydraulic Oil
The use of unsuitable materials on the hydraulic cylinder seal can cause serious chemical deterioration. Moreover, it can completely replace the compounds of the oil. This can reduce the elements of the seal by causing chemical attack of the additives in the oil on the incompatible material. Loss or excessive swelling or shrinkage of the sealing lip occurs as a result of chemical degradation. A more obvious sign of a chemical deterioration may be the discoloration of the hydraulic cylinder seals.

Faulty Hydraulic Cylinder Gasket Installation
One of the main causes of hydraulic failure is insufficient installation. Therefore, it is vital to thoroughly clean the equipment when installing a gasket. It is also important that the hydraulic cylinder seal is not damaged or scratched and that the entire system is adequately lubricated. If the packing packing is too tight or is blocking the packing lip, this can also cause problems. A reversed gasket can be avoided with care and attention during installation.