A Quick Comparison between Gland Seals and Mechanical Seals
26 April 2022Different types of sealing products have been formulated and introduced to the market so they can be maximised by varying industries for their respective tools and machines. Some sealing products may even be utilised by households in servicing a wide array of appliances.
There are specific seals, however, that can work well with pumps.
Pumps produce hydraulic energy to power different types of machines and tools. Some machines and tools that utilise pumps are excavators, cranes, graders, and others. They need appropriate sealing to prevent core materials or components from going in and out. Two types of sealing products that can be applied to pumps are gland seals and mechanical seals.
Gland Seals
For decades, industries have been utilising gland seals as their main sealing products for pumps. Gland seals are braided rope-like materials that can be installed around the pump’s shaft. Once they are installed, they are expected to fill any space on the said component, preventing any fluid from getting lost or released. Most gland seals are used for slurry pumps since they generate large shaft movement. These sealing products are also great for the said pumps as they work with aggressive liquids.
What is great about gland seals is that they are more affordable than mechanical ones. They are likewise easier to install since they do not require the driveshaft to be decoupled. Gland seals are also simpler to maintain, adjustable, and possess soft and flexible qualities. Ultimately, gland seals can accommodate changes brought by misalignment, maintaining their integrity throughout their service life.
Keep in mind, however, that gland seals may not be effective in applications that utilise abrasive fluids. They likewise have to be adjusted and lubricated frequently. Gland seals also require more power to operate as well as constant water flow to keep them cool.
Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals, alternatively, are sealing products that are preferred by industries whenever they need to prevent any leakage problems. They are normally installed inside the pumps, providing a sealing mechanism at the point of entry or exit of the pumps’ rotating shaft. Most industries that utilise hazardous liquid utilise mechanical seals as they are known to last much longer than gland seals. These sealing products likewise have multiple sealing points, which makes them effective against abrasive fluids.
One of the benefits of mechanical seals is that they are durable. They are expected to prevent leakage issues for a long time as they do not deteriorate and wear down. And since they have a longer service life, industries that use mechanical seals do not have to inspect, maintain, and service them regularly. Mechanical seals likewise do not consume too much energy, making them effective round the clock.
Mechanical seals, however, have a higher upfront cost compared to gland seals. They can likewise deteriorate whenever they are exposed to constant pressure and high temperatures. The effectiveness of these sealing products also relies on internal or external lubrication.
Both gland seals and mechanical seals can be effective in different applications. You only have to consider the elements of your application for you to choose the best one. To acquire these sealing products, you can call us at Fluid Sealing.
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