Spring seals made of high-performance plastics for demanding sealing systems
Precision sealing solutions for dynamic applications and maximum operational reliability
- Custom designs for specific requirements and installation situations
- Excellent sliding properties and high wear resistance
- High chemical and thermal resistance for demanding applications
Spring energized seals – Body, operating principle and range of applications
(Spring energized) seals have high performance for dynamic and static applications. They are used in particular for translational movements of pistons and rods, as well as for rotational and swivel movements. Thanks to their special geometry and the combination of a plastic sleeve and an integrated spring, they provide a constant sealing effect - even under varying pressure and temperature conditions. ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics develops high-quality spring seals made of high-performance plastics such as PolytetraflonTM-PTFE, MoldflonTM Fluorothermoplastics, or Elringplast Non-PFAS materials and tailors them precisely to your specific operating conditions.
How spring seals work
Reliable sealing through defined preload of the sealing lip and additional activation by system pressure for consistent sealing performance.
Materials and material selection
Use of high-performance plastics with excellent sliding properties as well as high chemical and thermal resistance.
Custom design
Manufacturing with precise spring seals dimensions in diameters ranging from 2 mm to 3000 mm, which are precisely tailored to pressure conditions, temperatures, media and other specific installation situations.
Spring seals: Where conventional gaskets reach their limits
Reliable sealing solutions require precise coordination of material, geometry and operating conditions
High friction and wear
Unsuitable materials can lead to increased abrasion, energy losses and a shortened service life of the gasket.
Stick-slip effects at low speeds
Jerky movements impair function and lead to increased wear in the system.
Insufficient chemical resistance
Aggressive media can attack gaskets and impair their function over the long term.
Temperature-induced material changes
Extreme temperatures can cause deformation or loss of function in unsuitable materials.
Leakiness under fluctuating pressure conditions
Fluctuating pressures require a constant contact force to ensure a reliable seal.
Standard solutions without application-specific design
O-rings that are not custom-designed often fail to meet the requirements of complex applications.
Spring seals from ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics for complex sealing tasks
Custom-designed spring seals: piston seals and rod seals made of high-performance plastics ensure maximum efficiency, safety and service life
Material-optimized sealing solutions
Spring seals made of PolytetraflonTM-PTFE, MoldflonTM Fluorothermoplastics, and PFAS-free Elringplast materials offer outstanding properties for dry operation and sliding, minimize friction and wear, and operate reliably without additional lubrication. At the same time, they ensure high chemical and thermal resistance from –200 °C to +260 °C, even when exposed to demanding media.
Precise coordination of geometry and preload
The combination of a plastic sleeve and an integrated spring generates a defined preload. This ensures a reliable seal even in unpressurized applications, while the sealing effect is further enhanced as system pressures increase (up to 1200 bar). Extremely low breakaway forces ensure trouble-free operation even after extended periods of inactivity.
Custom development for specific applications
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics develops spring seals precisely tailored to the application’s requirements. Working closely with you, we create customized solutions - from material selection through the prototyping phase to series production.
Have custom spring seals developed for your application
- Development partner for custom sealing solutions made from high-performance plastics
- Extensive materials expertise, from compounding to components with readiness for start of production (SOP)
- Precisely tailored to your requirements - for maximum safety and efficiency
Types
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics – Materials and manufacturing expertise from a single source
ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics GmbH is a globally active technology partner for products made from high-performance plastics. Our company combines comprehensive materials expertise with many years of experience in the development and manufacture of sophisticated sealing and functional solutions. From the selection of suitable materials through in-house compounding to production-ready parts, we create customized solutions that are precisely tailored to the requirements of each application. Working closely with our customers, we develop custom components and assemblies for various industries. These include, among others, the food and pharmaceutical sectors, medical technology and mechanical engineering. Certified processes compliant with automotive and medical standards ensure the highest levels of quality, safety and reliability. With international locations we are close to our customers and implement projects efficiently and in a spirit of partnership.
High-performance spring seals ensure maximum process safety
- Reliable sealing performance even under varying pressure and temperature conditions
- Minimized friction for energy-efficient and long-lasting systems
- High media resistance for use in demanding environments
Hydraulic system spring seals – Requirements and range of applications
Hydraulic spring seals are specifically designed for use in high-load sealing systems. In these applications, pressure, motion and media resistance must be precisely balanced. They are used in particular in hydraulic cylinders, presses and mobile applications, where reliable sealing of pistons and rods is especially important. In addition to traditional hydraulic applications, they are also used in compressors, pumps (such as fuel pumps), valves and similar industrial systems. The use of high-performance plastics enables these specialized spring seals to offer reduced friction and high wear resistance, even under demanding operating conditions. At the same time, they ensure a stable sealing effect under varying pressure conditions and dynamic movements. In addition to traditional hydraulic applications, these sealing rings can also be adapted to meet comparable requirements in other industrial sectors. This makes them highly versatile. Furthermore, the gaskets are characterized by excellent wiping action when used with abrasive media such as paints and coatings - a decisive advantage in applications within the coating industry and mechanical engineering.
Design and integration of spring seals in sealing systems
The capability of spring seals depends largely on their precise design within the overall system. Key factors include, above all, installation space, installation direction, surface quality, pressure conditions and the coordination of material and seal geometry. A reliable and long-lasting sealing function is ensured only when all parameters are optimally coordinated. For experts in development and design, this means that components must not be considered in isolation but rather as an integral part of the entire system. Early involvement in the development process makes it possible to specifically optimize sealing solutions and avoid potential weak points. ElringKlinger Engineered Plastics provides support in this regard with its comprehensive expertise in materials and applications.
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