Precision PTFE Piston Seals
Also available in PU, NBR, POM and FPM

A single-acting piston seal operates in the same way as a rod seal, but with one main difference - the dynamic sealing lip of a piston seal is located on the outside.

Double-acting piston seals are designed symmetrically as they are pressurised from both sides. Piston seals are sometimes equipped with pre-loading elements in order to create an even tighter seal. At higher operating pressures, additional support rings are used in order to avoid seal extrusion.

When you’re looking for precision made pistol seals you can count on, you’ve come to the right place. Our seals come in a choice of profiles and materials with different pressure and temperature tolerances as you’ll see in the table below.

Piston Seal Features

Our precision piston seals are available in a wide range of high-performance materials that are strong enough to handle extreme temperatures, chemical and challenging conditions: PTFE, PU, NBR, POM and FPM.  

We supply single-acting and double-acting piston seals in standard sizes, compatible with any hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, we can tailor make them in any size for your particular needs, whatever the size.

All our polyurethane and rubber piston seals provide a tight seal for proper leakage control, meet industry standards, and are designed for the ultimate performance in sectors such as aerospace, hydrogen, oil, and gas.

Piston Seal Applications

Our hydraulic piston seals are widely used in hydraulic cylinders used by a wide range of industries, for example, aerospace, food processing, automotive, hydrogen, gas and oil. Our high quality polyurethane and rubber seals play a critical role in high pressure systems, acting as a fluid sealing solution to prevent leakage and maximise efficiency. We manufacture polyurethane and rubber piston seals in more than 30 materials including: Viton, urethane, Nitrile, Polyurethane, HNBR, NBR, EPDM, FPM, FKM, AFLAS and silicone with many variants in FDA-approved and RGD-resistant compounds. 

FAQs:

What is a piston seal?

A piston seal provides a connection between a piston and a cylinder bore. The seal helps maintain the pressure and prevent air or hydraulic fluid leaking between the piston and the bore, maximising efficiency by allowing the cylinder to extend and retract. A single-acting piston seal is designed to only prevent leaking and maintain pressure on one side, whereas a double-acting piston seal works on both sides. The type of seal used depends on the cylinder design as well as the operating conditions it will be used in. If you need high quality precision piston seals designed for tough conditions, contact us to discuss your needs and find out how we can help.

How do you know if piston seals are poor quality?

Poor quality piston seals are more likely to result in an inefficient operation, increased system friction, increased temperatures in the combustion chamber, an increased need for oil, and more exhaust smoke. Eventually the seal will break altogether. It is therefore essential that pistons seals are made of high quality materials that will deal with high pressure and temperature extremes, and bespoke made for a precise fit.

What happen to the cylinder if the piston seal is damaged?

A damaged piston seal or hydraulic piston seal will result in inefficient operation because there will be gas and liquid leaks, as well as increased temperatures. Replacing the damaged seal will be costly in terms of manpower as well as a break in production while the machinery is out of action. Avoid future problems by ordering seals made from high quality materials.

Piston seal vs rod seal

Piston seals are located internally, in a groove in the piston, moving with the piston sealing against the cylinder wall, sealing the space to prevent gas, oil or any media leaking between the two. The seal also helps maintain the compression and keep the operation as efficient as possible. Piston seals often need to be made of heat-resistant materials such as PTFE, PU, NBR, and FPM. Rod seals are located inside a groove on the inside of the cylinder bore, static whilst the rod moves to create a seal between it and the cylinder. The rod seal ensures smooth and controlled movement of the equipment at the same time as preventing fluid leaks. Rod seals need to be made of wear-resistant materials such as PTFE, POM, PU, NBR and FPM. the same as piston seals. The decision of which is best often comes down to ease of assembly which may also determine material choice