On Keeping Those V-Packing Seals in Excellent Shape
V-packing seals are unique packaging options. They are normally applied as outer lining solutions for cylindrical objects, such as whole driveshafts for piston-based overload equipment. The seals get their name from the V-shape design on one side of the ring, which allows for multiple seals of the same size to be stacked atop each other. The materials for making them will range from pure PTFE or PTFE mixed with materials such as glass and graphite.
However, they need to be maintained carefully to remain consistent in protecting the entire assembly. For starters, a set of seals should remain lying flat when not in use and be stored at room temperature. The same goes for the male and female adapters to be used in the seals. Storing them vertically is not advised, due to the possibility of gravity deforming the seals into a more oval shape.
The maintenance watch should continue even when the seals are already installed – and the seals may not even be the prime source of the problem. For example, misalignment in the shaft itself can result in excessive wear and tear on one side of the seal. In certain cases, the wear may be attributed to improper seating in the stuffing box.
Advanced EMC Technologies 