SEAL REPAIRS
ALL MECHANICAL SEALS
Generally, most mechanical seals are repairable. In the end, the viability comes down to the cost of repair versus replacement with a new seal. Therefore the complexity and size of a seal are the determining factors. A quick phone call to us and we can usually answer that question right away.
Repair procedures of course vary somewhat between seal types, but generally consist of the following: Disassembly and rough cleaning to allow for an inspection. Assess repair requirement and prepare a quote. Upon the customers consent to proceed with the repair, all reusable components are ultrasonically cleaned. Burrs or damages that occurred during the removal of a seal by the mechanic are repaired as best as possible. Reusable seats are then lapped, polished, cleaned, inspected and finally examined under a Monochromatic Sodium light to ensure appropriate flatness. (see photo top right) Reassembly of the cleaned and repaired components along with new parts such as springs, set screws, o-rings and or gaskets is next. Final inspection is followed by packaging and shipping to our customer.
If seal faces (seats) are in need of replacement, that lends the perfect opportunity to look at alternate materials that offer longer lifecycles. Common seal seat materials are: Ceramic, Carbon, Stainless Steel, Ni-Resist, Silicon Carbide and Tungsten Carbide. A selection of two of these materials is used for the two opposing faces (seats) of a mechanical seal. The composition of the pumped media along with the operating parameters such as temperature and pressure will determine the best combination of seat materials and elastomers.
WRES Ltd. specializes in finding the best seal seat materials and elastomers, based on a customer’s specific application. Seals can be repaired on a very quick turn-around basis, or be replaced with new, if so required.
IMPROVE SEAL LIFE
REDUCE COST
RECYCLE
SEAL REPAIRS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmentally friendly solutions in the business of mechanical repairs to pumps and compressors are readily available, and most often result in cost savings to the end user of such equipment. Reconditioning of worn components eliminates the expensive waste created by parts replacement and, as a side benefit, allows for improvements that lead to longer life cycles.
Mechanical seals are a perfect example. Not only are they an expensive item to replace, but usually the materials chosen by the equipment manufacturer are a ‘one type fits all’ solution, which does not provide an acceptable life cycle in all cases.