TB Oil Seals

TB oil seals are robust radial shaft seals that feature a fully metal-encased design with a rubber-covered inner lip and a garter spring. They are commonly used in applications that require a strong, secure fit in the housing bore and effective sealing of internal lubricants, while offering a moderate level of protection against external contaminants.
Key Features and Benefits
Fully Metal Case: Unlike TC seals which typically have a rubber-covered outer diameter, TB seals feature a exposed, rigid metal outer diameter that provides a secure, press-fit into the housing bore, even if the housing material has a different thermal expansion rate.
Spring-Loaded Lip: A garter spring is integrated into the main sealing lip to maintain consistent radial force on the shaft, ensuring a reliable seal despite minor shaft runout, wear, and material changes over time.
Lubricant Retention: Their primary function is to contain oil, grease, and other lubricants within a component, ensuring proper lubrication of bearings and gears.
Moderate Contamination Protection: While they generally have one primary sealing lip, their design helps act as a barrier against external contaminants like dust, dirt, and water spray from entering the system.
Durability and Versatility: Available in various materials to withstand a wide range of temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions.
Common Materials
The material of the sealing lip is selected based on the operating environment's temperature, chemical exposure, and shaft speed:
Nitrile (NBR / Buna-N): The most common and cost-effective material, offering good resistance to petroleum-based oils, greases, and fuels within a temperature range of -30°C to +120°C.
Viton® (FKM): Used for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures (up to +200°C) and aggressive chemicals, acids, and fuels.
Silicone (VMQ): Offers superior flexibility and performance in extreme low and high temperatures (e.g., -60°C to +200°C).
Applications
TB oil seals are suitable for applications where a secure fit in the housing is paramount and effective lubricant retention is required:
Automotive Industry: Used in engines (crankshafts, camshafts), transmissions, and axles where reliable oil retention is necessary.
Industrial Machinery: Found in gearboxes, pumps, and compressors to maintain lubricant integrity.
Heavy Machinery: Often used in heavy-duty equipment where robustness and a strong housing fit are essential.
General Engineering: Employed in various mechanical systems requiring reliable sealing of rotating shafts.