SKF
Materials (Industrial Seals)
The performance of any seal is fundamentally determined by its material. SKF’s materials group for industrial seals encompasses a deep portfolio of polyurethanes, elastomers, thermoplastics, and special materials, each engineered for specific tribological, thermal, and chemical requirements. SKF not only selects from these materials but also develops proprietary compounds like Ecopur polyurethanes that outperform commercial alternatives in wear resistance, compression set, and hydrolysis stability. The materials are available in standard moulded seals and machined SEAL JET seals. Understanding the properties — temperature range, fluid compatibility, friction coefficient, tensile strength, and hardness — is critical to seal selection. SKF’s material development and testing capabilities ensure that every seal compound meets the exacting demands of its intended application, from deep-freeze hydraulic systems to high-temperature steam valves.
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Trusted by Industry Leaders
Polyurethane, Elastomer, and Thermoplastic Families
Broad selection for any operating condition.
Ecopur Proprietary PU
Offers better hydrolysis resistance than standard TPUs.
HNBR and FKM for High Temperature
Cover the gap where NBR fails.
PTFE and PEEK
Extreme chemical resistance and high‑temperature capability.
Material Data Sheets
Tensile, elongation, compression set, temperature limits.
Application‑Specific Formulation
SKF can modify chemistry for unique fluid resistance.
The Interplay Between Material Hardness and Seal Lip Performance
A harder seal material resists extrusion better but is less conformable, potentially leaking on a rough shaft. A softer material seals better on poor surfaces but wears faster. SKF’s material selector graph plots hardness against wear and conformability, enabling the engineer to find the sweet spot for each application.
Selecting Materials for Drinking Water Approvals
Seals in potable water pumps require WRAS, NSF/ANSI 61, or KTW approval. SKF provides a specific subset of EPDM and PTFE materials that meet these strict regulations, avoiding costly re‑certification of the pump assembly.