Lip Seals vs Non-Contact Seals
| CRITERIA | LIP SEAL | NON-CONTACT SEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Wear | by friction | none |
| Power Loss | by friction | no power loss: may lead to energy savings & smaller units |
| Speed Limit | material dependent | none |
| Live Tool | operation limited by wear to lip seal | unlimited operation |
| Lubrication | required at the sealing location | no lubrication required |
| Mating Parts | hardening & grinding required for the shaft at higher speeds to reduce wear. | hardening & grinding not required. |
| Temperature Range | limited due to material (plastic or rubber) | Large range. Very low: -40°F (-40°C) to very high: 340°F (140°C) (metallic material steel + aluminum) |
| Space Requirement | small | GMN Labyrinth Seals: Small |
| 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 & level below sealing diameter. |
|
| fine & coarse granular contamination not possible, as this environment causes rapid wear of the lips on the lip seal. | fine & coarse granular contamination can be sealed reliably if applied to horizontal shaft. |