Eclipse Engineering Blog

2020/11/25 | Cliff | Seals

We recently wrote about processing PTFE, or Teflon, from the drum of raw material to a finished rod or tube. But what’s involved in creating a seal from inception to completion? We receive literally hundreds of requests a month for a seal or related product. Some never get past the inquiry stage, as the clients’ […]

2020/11/18 | Doug | Seals

Picture this: You have an application using a standard O-Ring. The O-Ring seals great, but is wearing out very quickly, and friction is far exceeding the goals of the system. You retrofit a fancy PTFE spring energized seal that costs 1000 times more than the O-Ring…only to find out it leaks! Did you get a […]

2020/10/27 | Cliff | Seals

Below, we’ll explore how Teflon is processed for sealing purposes, and why we sometimes see variation in surface quality and/or cracks in finished Teflon seals. The Two Ways to Process Teflon® for Seals There are different grades of Fluoropolymers that can be used to manufacture seals. There are melt processable fluoropolymers, which are rarely used […]

2020/10/05 | Cliff | Seals

When considering polymer jacketed seals — especially PTFE-based products — some form of energizer is typically required. These types of seals are usually specified to operate both in very high pressures, low pressures, or even in a vacuum.   At some pressure (typically above 100psi), the system pressure will energize the seal and prevent leakage. But at […]

2020/09/23 | Cliff | Seals

“How much pressure can this seal handle?” This is one of the most common and frequently asked questions here at Eclipse. The answer to this question depends on a number of parameters and conditions. But the principle limiting factor in the pressure handling of any seal system is the extrusion gap. Commonly referred to as […]

2020/09/03 | Cliff | Seals

An accumulator is an apparatus for storing energy or power. This is an obsolete term for a capacitor, which is commonly used in electrical engineering. In hydraulic systems, we use accumulators for two very specific purposes: To store energy for use either in an emergency or to give a momentary surge of power due to the loss […]

2020/09/01 | Cliff | Seals

When it comes to maintaining a high-functioning rotary shaft, you need to select the appropriate lip seal. The shaft seal protects the rotary shaft from contaminants such as dust and dirt, and it keeps water out and lubricant in. A rotary seal, also known as a radial shaft seal, typically sits between a rotary shaft […]

2020/07/23 | Cliff | Seals

Dust is typically a minor annoyance that haunts the surfaces of our home. But in the world of engineering, machinery, and mechanical systems, it can be the difference between a reliable piece of equipment and disaster. Dust can cause major damage to cylinder walls, rods, seals and other components inside of machinery. And if you’re […]

2020/07/15 | Cliff | Seals

Back-up rings serve an important role in world of seals. While the design principle and construction are incredibly simple, they greatly extend the usefulness of the most common and prolific sealing device in the world: the O-ring. Back-up rings are aptly named as they do just that: they back-up an O-ring. Back-up rings are commonly […]

2020/06/19 | Cliff | Technology

In the last century, commercial air travel has transformed the way we see the world. What were once far flung, distant lands can now be reached in under a day from anywhere across the globe. And the popularity of air travel only continues to grow.