The table below shows the most important advantages of Non-Contact Seals compared with lip seals.
| Criteria |
Lip seal |
Non-Contact Seal |
| Wear |
by friction |
none |
| Power loss |
by friction |
none --> savings of energy --> may lead to smaller driving units |
| Temperature increase |
see diagram |
none |
| Speed limit |
depending on material |
none |
| Live |
limited by wear |
unlimited |
| Lubrication |
required at the sealing location |
no lubrication required for the seal |
| Mating parts |
Hardening and grinding required for the shaft at higher speeds to reduce wear |
Hardening and grinding not necessary |
| Temperature range |
limited due to material (plastic or rubber) |
from very low to very high - 40° C - 140° C (plastic material)- 40° F - 340° F (metallic material steel + aluminum) |
| Space requirement |
small |
formerly large - customer designed labyrinth seals; now small GMN Labyrinth seals |
| Field of applications |
Grease lubrication |
Grease lubrication |
| |
Oil lubrication |
Oil lubrication if oil level below sealing diameter Oil mist lubrication |
| |
water - limited, as water may increase the friction at sealing location |
water - with the use of rust proof materials and level below sealing diameter |
| |
fine and coarse granular contamination not possible, as this environment causes rapid wear of the lips |
fine and coarse granular contamination can be sealed reliably if applied to horizontal shaft. |
