The Vital Role of Hydraulic Cylinder Seals

A main cause for the hydraulic cylinder seal failure is contamination within the system. Hydraulic oil contamination increases the risk of internal leakage, as well as reducing the control of flow and pressure in valves. Subsequently this could eventually waste horsepower and cause the system to overheat.

Contamination can form from hydraulic oil, environmental exposure, system wear, the manufacturing process and servicing. Moreover, contamination can get into the system when the rod retracts. It is therefore best to consider the installation of a rod wiper. If hydraulic oil is filtered appropriately, this oil contamination can be prevented. A scratched rod and cylinder surface, extreme seal wear and an oil leak, may all be the result of contamination and your oil needs to be thoroughly cleaned as soon as possible.

If hydraulic cylinder seals look hard and brittle, or the seal lip or body is eroding, the temperature of the oil in the cylinder may be too high. High temperature for a long period of time may result in the seal losing functionality. For example, either by excessive compression or damage to the seal material. This could be due to the seals not being manufactured with the right materials, too much friction or close proximity to the source of heat.

The usage of inappropriate materials within the hydraulic cylinder seal can lead to a serious chemical breakdown. Moreover it could change the compounds of the oil altogether. This causes chemical attacks from the additives in the oil on the non-compatible material, which can reduce the seal’s elements. A result of the chemical breakdown is the loss of the seal lip or too much swelling or shrinkage. A more obvious sign of a chemical breakdown can be discolouration of the hydraulic cylinder seals.

One of the main reasons for hydraulic failure is inadequate installation. It’s therefore vitally important that when you are installing a seal that the equipment must be thoroughly cleaned. Furthermore it’s important not to damage or scratch the hydraulic cylinder seal and that the entire system is sufficiently lubricated. If the seal gland is too tight or a gland is obstructing a seal lip, this could also cause problems. A seal that has been installed upside down can be avoided through care and attention during installation.