Selecting the Right Mechanical Seals
What is a Mechanical Seal?
A mechanical seal is used when fluid or gas needs to be contained within an industrial pump, mixer or compressor. In addition, mechanical seals are used when a rotating shaft component is housed in a stationary compartment. Mechanical seals have become a vital part of industrial equipment across many residential and commercial applications.
What makes the Mechanical seal work?
The pressure produced by the pump (hydraulic pressure) forces the seal faces together. The faces are engineered to be perfectly flat with a face OD & ID. That reduces leakage. So that seal faces are lubricated, but leakage is negligible. The spring or springs provide pressure, so there is no leakage when the pump is not running. These springs also ensure that faces maintain contact during vibration or are not parallel.
The Basics of Mechanical Seal Assembly
A mechanical seal assembly consists of a seal face that rotates in tandem with a pump shaft housed within a stationary compartment containing a stationary seal face. A standard mechanical seal assembly contains a rotating face with a rotating seal to shaft with a gasket (O-ring) and a stationary face sealed in a stationary compartment with a gasket (O-ring)
THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A MECHANICAL SEAL
The Differences Between a Single Mechanical Seal and a Double Mechanical Seal
Seals come in numerous forms, from single mechanical seals to double mechanical seals. Identify the proper seal for the temperature, application, and environment in which the seal will operate. There is no one-size-fits-all for every application and equipment.
Working With a Mechanical Seal Supplier
Understanding the proper seal for the job is critical to prevent leakage and pump safety. Platinum Performance Products is a mechanical seal manufacturer with over 30 years of experience combined. Selecting the correct seals for your industrial and residential applications. Contact us with your questions at team @3ppumps.com.
Mechanical Seal Application
There are different seals for different applications.
Commercial & Industrial uses. If you have your standard residential application for a freshwater pool or hot tub that can be a specific material / seal. If you were to do salt water with the same pool that would take the same seal but different material. The material has to withstand the heat and or chemicals.
Mechanical Seal Materials
Different materials (Elastomers) are available for mechanical seals – For example, buna temp range is from -65F to 250F. This is useful for oil, water. The EPR temp range is -50F to 300F. These should not be used in oil or type of grease. They are useful mostly in ketones and alcohols, helium gas. The viton temp range is -20F to 400F. Mostly used in hot water applications because it has chemical resistance.
Prevent Leakage With Mechanical Seals
Leakage refers to visible leakage of the seal. However, in a properly functioning mechanical seal assembly, there should be no visible leakage from the mechanical seals.
Mechanical Seal Diagram

In this diagram, you can see that the microscopic gap is achieved using counteracting forces from the spring/hydraulic force pushing the mechanical seal faces toward each other against the pressure of the fluid film that acts to move them apart. Without the hydraulic pressure pushing the faces together, the gap would be too large, allowing fluid to leak out. Likewise, without the fluid film acting to push the two seal faces apart, they would contact each other. This contact between surfaces is known as dry running and needs to be avoided to prevent seal failure.
The Evolution of Mechanical Sealing
Before mechanical seals, a method known as gland packing was used to form a seal between the shaft and the pump. Gland packing uses a braided substrate “packed” around the rotating shaft to create a gap between the moving shaft and the pump operations.
Benefits of Mechanical Seals
Platinum Performance Products – Your Mechanical Seals Manufacturers
We sell a wide range of replacement mechanical seals that adhere to the mechanical seal specifications of all major pump brands, such as: Paco, Taco, Goulds, Aurora, Bell & Gosset, Gaso, GOULDS G&L and Myers.
Disclaimer: Platinum Performance Products provides parts that are compatible with or can replace different original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. The mention of any OEM names, trademarks, model numbers, or part numbers is purely for reference and does not indicate that we are an authorized distributor or representative of the listed companies and brands. We do not claim any association or affiliation with any of the OEM manufacturers mentioned on our website or in our product descriptions.
For additional information and assistance with sizing, identifying and repairing mechanical seals, contact us at team@3ppumps.com