Sealing improvements by grease selection in double lip seals and labyrinth seals

Nowadays, many bearing systems are lubricated with lubricating grease. This lubricating grease is normally selected for the bearing operating temperature, running speed, load condition, and type of bearing contact. The only requirement regarding the seal is good compatibility with the seal elastomer material. However, in many systems it is not the bearing lubrication that determines the service life but the sealing performance against ingress of contaminants from the environment. Grease selection optimization regarding the sealing performance is therefore essential to further improve system service life.