Propeller Seals

Custom Engineered Seals for the Marine Industry – Rapid Seals Service

Ship propellers are rigid propulsion systems designed with blades shaped to direct water flow around them at an angle or asymmetrically during rotation. Various types of propellers exist, each suited to different vessel requirements.

Each blade of a propeller is curved on one side and flat on the other. As the blades spin, this creates lower pressure on the front surface and higher pressure on the back. The difference in this pressure ‘sucks’ the vehicle forward. The acceleration of backward fluid generates an equal and opposite forward thrust.

Rotary Shaft Seal

The role of a rotary shaft seal is to act as an exclusion barrier between the internal lubricants of the machinery and the external environment.  Propeller shafts are supported by bearings that need constant lubrication to operate and in many marine applications, the housing of the shaft is filled with oil. The rotary shaft seal ensures this oil doesn’t leak. Most importantly, it stops external contaminants, such as saltwater, from damaging the machinery.

Sealing Solutions

To ensure reliable operation, it’s crucial to use seals that prevent water from entering the bearings, as such intrusion can cause severe damage. Additionally, growing environmental demands are driving the continuous advancement of sealing technologies.

Materials:

• Nitrile (NBR) – Highly resistant to oil and wear
• Fluoroelastomer (FKM/Viton™) – High temperature and chemical degradation resistance
• PTFE (Teflon™) – Low friction and operational without lubrication
• Polyurethane (AU) –  Abrasion resistant, low friction and high tensile strength

Popular Products include:

• Rotary Shaft Seals/Lip Seals
• Mechanical Seals
• O Rings
• Encapsulated O Rings
• V Seals
• Inflatable Seals

Understanding that each rudder system presents unique technical requirements, our Rapid Seals Service offers sealing solutions in a wide range of sizes and requirements. Each seal is manufactured with careful consideration of the specific application, operating needs, temperatures and environmental exposure to deliver optimal functionality and durability.

Our highly-adaptable and efficient production means we are able to provide an extensive range of seal designs and material combinations. This allows us to meet the diverse requirements of our customers, offering tailored solutions that meet exact performance criteria whether for standard use or complex, high-performance Marine applications.

• No minimum order quantity
• No minimum start-up charge
• No tooling limitations
• Bespoke profiles service
• Sample identification
• Approved and compliant compounds: FDA, EC1935/2004 & EC2023/2006, KTW, NORSOK, 3-A Sanitary Standard 18-03 Class III
• Rapid delivery

To find out more about how our Rapid Seals Service can help you call: +44(0)121 429 8011 or email sales@barnwell.co.uk

Download our Rapid Seals brochure for information on profile ranges and material specifications.

E & OE.  M Barnwell Services endeavour to make sure that all content is correct. The information has been gathered from manufacturing partners.