What is the difference between sealing rings and oil seals

Although both sealing rings and oil seals belong to sealing components, they have their own characteristics in terms of structural form, application scenarios, and sealing principles. The sealing ring is suitable for reciprocating motion, while the oil seal focuses on sealing the rotating shaft. What is the difference between sealing rings and oil seals, and when choosing which sealing component to use, it needs to be determined based on specific usage conditions and requirements.

Structural differences
Sealing ring: The alias for sealing ring is O-ring, which is a spare part used for sealing purposes. It is mainly divided into various types such as V-shaped sealing ring, U-shaped ring, O-shaped sealing ring, rectangular sealing ring, Y-shaped sealing ring, YX type sealing ring for holes, YX type retaining ring for holes, YX type retaining ring for shafts, and YX type sealing ring for shafts.

Oil seal: Oil seal, also known as rotary shaft lip seal ring, is a type of sealing element used for shaft rotation. It usually consists of a metal skeleton and a rubber sealing layer. According to the structural form, it can be divided into single lip skeleton oil seal and double lip skeleton oil seal. According to the skeleton type, it can be divided into inner wrapped skeleton oil seal, exposed skeleton oil seal, and assembled oil seal.

Differences in application scenarios
Sealing ring: Sealing ring is mainly used in fixed and stationary situations, such as mechanical equipment, engineering machinery equipment, automobiles, and other places that need to achieve dustproof sealing effect.

Oil seal: Oil seal is commonly used in mechanical bearings, especially in rolling bearings. Its main function is to isolate the parts that need lubrication in the transmission components from the output components, and prevent lubricating oil leakage. In addition, oil seals can also prevent external dust, impurities, etc. from entering the interior of the machine.

Differences in sealing principles
Sealing ring: The main function of a sealing ring is to make it in close contact and prevent air and liquid leakage. It can provide reliable sealing performance in reciprocating motion.

Oil seal: Under the action of the oil seal, the stiffness of the oil film precisely forms a crescent surface at the contact end between the oil film and the air, preventing the leakage of the working medium and achieving the sealing of the rotating shaft. The sealing ability of oil seals depends on the thickness of the oil film on the sealing surface. If the thickness is too large, the oil seal may leak; If the thickness is too small, dry friction may occur, causing oil seal and shaft wear; If there is no oil film between the sealing lip and the shaft, it is easy to cause heating and wear.