Gland Packing Seal vs. Mechanical Seal | What’s the Difference?

by Satefa f. Ncious - Get Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to deciding on the best sealing solution for your pumps or agitators, newer developments in sealing technology offer more options than ever before. Although gland or packing seals have been the default sealing method of choice for many years, mechanical seals provide many operational benefits and should also be considered. Here is a comparison between gland packing and mechanical seals, and how you can decide which one is right for you.

Difference Between Mechanical Seal and Gland Packing

Packing seals have been the most widely used sealing solution for many years. Packing seals use rope-like materials that wrap around the shaft of a pump, filling in dead space and minimizing fluid loss. Over time, however, the fluid loss will increase as the Gland Packing Manufacturer uses the material begins to wear down and may impair regular lubrication or reduce ease-of-replacement that is required to function properly.

Mechanical seals are preferable to conventional seals in a variety of applications where leakage problems must be avoided. Mechanical seals are designed to be more durable and more punitive than their predecessors. Basic mechanical seals use multiple sealing locations to eliminate almost any leakage problem.

When Should You Use Packing Seals?

Seals are usually the most economical choice for choosing sealed solutions, so they are still widely used. They are also easier to install than mechanical seals. Packaging seals do not require disassembly of the drive shaft, which significantly reduces installation time compared to other seals.

Also, seals are slightly more forgiving than mechanical seals. Although the risk of large amounts of radial movement and misalignment of pumps and actuators is high, seals can adapt to conditions and maintain their integrity. A good example of an industry that prefers seals is ore mining and processing, where seals are an economical choice and can adapt to large shaft movements and large volumes. equipment resolution.

When Should You Use Mechanical Seals?

Mechanical seals are an ideal choice when leaking a seal that is not suitable for equipment or software selection. Typically, pump leakage can cause environmental or safety concerns. Mechanical seals are more durable than seals and are the best choice for the long-term performance of your pumps.

While mechanical seals can be more expensive than seals, they are a huge investment that can save you the cost of regular repairs and replacement of seals. Compared to cloth seals with mechanical sealing solutions, mechanical seals are better for minimizing damage. Compared to mechanical seals, the seals are removed and replaced, which results in significant wear of the pumps during disassembly and reassembly.

When choosing the sealing option that’s right for your applications, mechanical seal and gland packing seal offer both pros and cons. You can search our list of seals and gaskets to find the solution that works best for your business. Whether your decision is based on sourcing the highest-quality solution or the most economical, DXP can meet the needs of your application.