Mechanical seals are imperative for the proper functioning of the chemical processing equipment you're designing and building. Without them, pumps can't function, safety is compromised, and the entire process comes to a complete halt. You need to buy mechanical seals from mechanical seal manufacturers that will help your business and provide the products that will serve it in the right capacity.

All the parts of your project have to work together perfectly. The wrong seal will be next to useless. Consider the following options to get the mechanical seals you require to build a system that operates as it should:

1. Locate the mechanical seal distributors that have the right products for your design.

2. Custom-build your mechanical seals for maximum efficiency and integration.

3. Look for mechanical seal suppliers that can repair seals you already have.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find mechanical seals that will work best with the system you're building

In the chemical industry, control and containment is of the utmost importance. Your equipment has to conform to safety and operational guidelines, so you need all the right parts for the machinery in your business, whether compression, hermetic, diaphragm or labyrinth seals. If the intended chemicals are thick and viscous, you need a different sort of seal than if the fluids are thinner. See which mechanical seal suppliers have the seals you need for the optimum performance of your equipment.

I recommend: Shop for mechanical seals available for your industry with mechanical seal distributors like PPC or Chesterton and see what their products can work with, or check out some of the charts at PSP Inc. You can also see if John Crane, which features specialty seals, has what you need.

Design mechanical seals to your specifications for a perfect operation

If the types of mechanical seals you need are not available, various mechanical seal manufacturers have custom-design options. Build your seals to your exact specifications, incorporating all the specialized features necessary for the design of your equipment. Sometimes the nature of innovation isn't adapting to existing products, but inventing your own.

I recommend: AFM has a special customization process that can help you design the mechanical seals you need. You can send your design drawings to All Seals, Inc., and get a quote, or contact Norman Technology, which has a specifications form for the exact details of the seals you need.

Locate businesses that do mechanical repair of seals

If you're doing early testing of your design with older mechanical seals, they may still be viable. If you don't need new ones right away, consider mechanical repair of seals services. Many suppliers feature options for repair or replacement of damaged or worn out devices, and this may be a better option for your immediate needs, especially when it comes to cost.

I recommend: Check out the services available at UTEX Industries, or go to Thomasnet.com to find mechanical repair of seals services near you.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look at equipment similar to the machinery you're creating. What kinds of mechanical seals does it use? What seals work best for the functions like those in your design? Apply your industry knowledge to your new project and get a head-start on mechanical seal decisions.