Hydraulic & Fluid Seals

Wear Rings, Bearings, Wear Bands

For linear, reciprocating and slow rotating motions

Example rod seal with wear rings
Installed rod wear ring example
Another example rod seal with wear rings

The function of a wear ring, wear band or guide ring is to absorb the side load forces of the rod and/or the piston and to prevent metal-to-metal contact that would otherwise damage and score the sliding surfaces and eventually cause seal damage, leakage and component failure. Wear rings should last longer than the seals as they are the only thing stopping expensive damage to the cylinder.

Our non-metallic wear rings for rod and piston applications offer great benefits over traditional metal guides:

  • High load bearing capabilities
  • Cost effective
  • Easy installation and replacement
  • Wear-resistant and long service life
  • Low friction
  • Wiping/cleaning effect
  • Embedding of foreign particles possible
  • Damping of mechanical vibrations

Wear Ring Design Considerations:

• Tolerances…

• Tolerances

Tolerances

For best overall equipment and sealing performance, it is critical to use precision manufactured wear rings. Our precision wear rings are manufactured to close cross-section tolerances of +/- 0.001” (0.025mm) unless specified otherwise.
Please note that the pressure rating and sealing performance of a seal can be significantly reduced by higher tolerances of both the wear ring and the wear ring groove, leading to an increase in extrusion gap.

• Materials…

• Materials

Materials

The greater the side load forces, the stronger the wear ring material must be.

We offer a wide range of materials including:

– High compressive strength composite materials such as Duraloy™ 7111 for high side loads and tight-tolerance wear rings. Duraloy™ 7111  is our premium material for the most severe applications due to its outstanding mechanical properties and wear characteristics.

– Engineered plastics such as self-lubricated Nylons and POM for light to medium duty hydraulics with moderate side loads.

– Self-lubricated low-friction bronze filled PTFE, typically used for light duty hydraulics and low side loads. Not recommended for soft metal rods and aluminum bores. For soft metals we recommend the use of our carbon graphite filled PTFE to avoid scoring of the soft metal surfaces.


• End Cut…

• End Cut

End Cut

Our standard wear rings are angle-cut as the overlapping ends provide a better bearing support and protect the seal by reducing pressure spikes compared to straight-cut ends. End cuts are designed with a minimum gap to allow for fluid pressure to pass across the wear ring to energize the seal for proper sealing performance.

Angle-cut

Angle-cut


Straight or Butt-cut

Straight or Butt-cut


• Wear Ring Location…

• Wear Ring Location

Wear Ring Location

Wear rings should always be installed in front of the seal (pressure side) for best lubrication and longest service life. Additionally, rod and piston wear rings should be kept at a maximum distance from each other to provide maximum leverage when the rod is at full extension.


• Wear Ring Height…

• Wear Ring Height

Wear Ring Height

When the design requires wear ring height beyond 1.500”, it is recommended that multiple wear rings of shorter height be used. This becomes more vital as the side load increases. Ideally, each wear ring should be located in its own groove; however, two one-inch high wear rings in a two-inch groove are preferable to one two-inch high wear ring. As soon as there is an angular offset due to side loading, the initial wear ring contact is on a point, and contact width increases as it wears. Two wear rings not only double the initial contact area, but the actual contact area also increases faster with two rings rather than one.

Wear Rings

Typical Application

Linear, reciprocating dynamic applications

Operating Range

Surface Speed: up to 13ft/s (4m/s) depending on material

Temperature: -40°F to 400°F (-40°C to 210°C) depending on material

Materials: Duraloy™ 7111, Nylon, POM, filled PTFE (bronze, carbon-graphite, glass fiber), Permachem™ and Duraloy™ compounds.

Availability: More Info…

Most standard or non-standard and application-specific designed wear rings, in inch or metric sizes, are available with a 2-4 day turnaround.

Contact us to request more information or call 1-800-283-7140 for immediate answers to your questions.


Applications & Industries

  • Abrasive Substance Pumps and Valves
  • Adhesives Dispensing Valves and Cylinders
  • Automotive Plants
  • Can and Package Filling Machines
  • Chemical Pumps
  • Chemical Pumps and Valves
  • Construction Equipment
  • Cryogenic Liquid Control Components
  • Drilling Equipment
  • Food Processing
  • Government, Military and Defense
  • Heavy Mobile Equipment
  • Hydraulics
  • Liquid Handling Swivel Joints
  • Low Friction
  • Marine
  • Mining
  • Oil-Field Exploration and Production
  • Paint and Solvent Manufacture and Application
  • Pharmaceutical Production
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Presses
  • Rubber and Plastics
  • Space Exploration
  • Steel Works
  • Tire Production
  • Vacuum Service
  • Many other applications

*Maximum values depend on seal material, seal configuration, media, temperatures, pressures, surface speed, dynamic running surface finish and working environment.  Data provided are guidelines for ideal operating conditions.  Seals cannot be operated at their upper pressure and speed ratings at the same time.  For maximum seal life expectancy, do not operate your seal beyond 75% of any of its operating limits. Please consult engineering or call 1-800-283-7140 for advice.


American High Performance Seals assumes no obligation or liability for any advice furnished or results obtained with respect to these products. All such advice is given and accepted at the buyer’s risk.

This information, based on our experience, is offered as part of our service to customers. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. We do not guarantee favorable results, and we assume no liability in connection with its use.


Any purchases resulting from information provided by American High Performance Seals, Inc., including proposals, recommendations and quotes, are subject to “AHPSEALS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.”