July-August 2021

Focus on: Seals, Bearings & Lubrication Process, Controls & Plant July/August 2021 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 23 High temperatures If the seal has been stored somewhere that has a high temperature, the heat can cause damage to the seal. The heat can cause the seal to harden and degrade quickly. The material of the seal can break off when hardened, and this can then cause more contamination along the whole machinery or pipe network. Pressure The pressure that your seal has been under could cause the seal to fail. This might have been because it is over pressurised. Check for pressure strikes in seals. If you can see any, then you may need to replace the seal with a one that is made to be under higher pressure. Chemical deterioration If there has been a corrosive fluid used, then this may cause a breakdown in the seals’ material. You need to have made sure that the material the seal is made from is right for the fluid passing through it. Especially when connecting a seal to a hydraulic system using chemical fluid, this may create fractures in a material. The chemical deterioration can cause swelling or shrinking of the seal. Whether your seals are being used or are in storage, maintenance is important to keep them in good condition for present and future use to make sure they don’t fail. This article was contributed by Mandata. For further information please visit: https://www.mandata.co.uk/ QUALITY INNOVATION RELIABILITY ck-tools.com Precision engineered to offer leading performance, durability, accuracy, strength & cost ef昀ciency. C.K Tools, the brand for process and maintenance professionals... C28A00148_Plant&Works_1/4Page-July21.indd 1 23/06/2021 11:4