Dirt Exclusion Seals (Wipers and Scrapers)

Figure 7-20.–Cup packing. seals. The flange made of leather, (sometimes called fabric-reinforced the hat) is rubber, or homogeneous rubber. Lip sealing occurs only on the packing ID (fig. 7-21). Flange packings are generally used only for rod seals when other packings such as V-rings or U-seals cannot be used. DIRT EXCLUSION SEALS (WIPERS AND SCRAPERS) Dirt exclusion devices are essential if a satisfactory life is to be obtained from most rod seals. The smooth finished moving rod surface, if not enclosed or protected by some sort of covering, will accumulate a coating of dust or abrasive material that will be dragged or carried into the packing assembly area on the return rod stroke. Exclusion devices called wipers or scrapers are designed to remove this coating. While the terms wiper and scraper are often used interchangeably, it is useful to reserve scraper Figure 7-21.—Typical flange packing cross section. for metal lip-type devices that remove heavily encrusted deposits of dirt or other abrasive material that would merely deflect a softer lip and be carried into the cylinder. Sometimes a rod will have both a scraper and a wiper, the former to remove heavy deposits and the latter to exclude any dust particles that remain. Whenever metallic scrapers are used with felt wipers in the same groove, the felt wiper must not be compressed nor restricted in any way that affects its function as a lubricator. A wiper installed in a seal assembly in a pneumatic application may remove too much oil from the rod, requiring some method of replacing the oil. A common remedy is to provide a periodically oiled felt ring between the wiper and the seal. Felt wipers provide lubrication to extended operating rods, thus increasing component wear life. These wipers are only used to provide lubrication to parts. Much longer life could be obtained from most seals if proper attention were given to wipers and scrapers. Often, wiper or scraper failure is not noticed when a seal packing fails. As a result, only the packing is replaced, and the same worn wiper or scraper is reinstalled to destroy another packing. Check the wiper or scraper condition upon its removal. If the wiper is worn, dirty, or embedded with metallic particles, replace it with a new one. It is usually good practice to replace the wiper every time you replace the seal and even more frequently if the wiper is readily accessible without component disassembly. If replacements are not available, wash dirty wipers that are still in good condition with suitable solvent and reinstall them. Remember that a wiper or scraper is deliberately installed as a sacrificial part to protect and preserve the sealing packing. Therefore, from a user’s standpoint, wipers and scrapers should be inspected and replaced as necessary. STORAGE OF SEALS Proper storage practices must be observed to prevent deformation and deterioration of seals. Most synthetic rubbers are not damaged by storage under ideal conditions. However, most synthetic rubbers will deteriorate when exposed to heat, light, oil, grease, fuels, solvents, thinners, moisture, strong drafts, or ozone (form of oxygen formed from an electrical discharge). Damage by exposure is magnified when rubber is under tension, compression, or stress. There are several 7-17