Piston seals are critical components in hydraulic cylinders, designed to seal the interface between the piston and the cylinder bore. Their main function is to prevent fluid from passing across the piston, thereby effectively separating the pressure zones within the cylinder — the piston side and the rod side — and enabling the cylinder to generate controlled linear motion.
Piston seals are typically used in both single- and double-acting hydraulic cylinders, with their performance directly affecting the efficiency, safety, and longevity of the hydraulic system. A properly functioning piston seal minimizes internal leakage, ensuring consistent pressure build-up and precise positioning of the piston.
Key Characteristics:
Seal Performance: High sealing efficiency under dynamic conditions to maintain pressure stability during extension and retraction cycles.
Durability: Resistance to abrasion, extrusion, and fatigue caused by high-frequency motion and changing pressure loads.
Temperature Resistance: Reliable operation in a wide temperature range, depending on material selection (commonly from -30°C to +200°C).
Material Composition: Typically made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorocarbon (FKM), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) blends, often with elastomeric energizers for improved elasticity and sealing response.
Compatibility: Designed to work with a variety of hydraulic fluids, including mineral oils, biodegradable fluids, and some synthetic media.
Design Variants:
Single-acting piston seals: Designed to seal in one direction; used in cylinders where pressure is applied from one side only.
Double-acting piston seals: Capable of sealing in both directions; used in cylinders that operate with alternating pressure on both sides of the piston.
Compact seal profiles: Allow for installation in limited-space grooves, often incorporating integrated back-up rings for extrusion resistance.
These seals are manufactured to standard groove dimensions (e.g., according to ISO 7425-1) and are available in a wide range of sizes and cross-sectional profiles to suit diverse industrial applications, including mobile hydraulics, injection molding machinery, presses, and construction equipment.
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