Browse our complete range of oil seals; available in 25 types, multiple materials and a wide range of standard sizes. All types on this page are rotary shaft seals: they retain lubricants on a rotating shaft while keeping out dirt, dust and moisture. Select a type below to view dimensions, materials and stock availability.
Not sure which oil seal fits your application? Jump to our selection guide or contact our specialists directly.
Each card represents a specific rotary shaft seal design. Click through to find dimensions, materials and stock availability.
An oil seal is a rotary shaft sealing solution that closes the gap between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing. Its main task is to keep lubricants such as oil or grease inside the system while preventing dirt, dust and moisture from entering.
In most cases, an oil seal uses a flexible sealing lip that runs directly on the shaft surface. A small garter spring is often fitted behind the lip to maintain a constant contact pressure over the lifetime of the seal. The outer diameter of the oil seal is pressed into the housing bore to create a static seal and to compensate for minor mounting tolerances.
Although the working principle of an oil seal is relatively simple, the actual performance depends strongly on the operating conditions. Shaft surface finish, lubrication, alignment, runout and circumferential speed all influence how well an oil seal will perform. To match these different conditions, oil seals are available in a wide range of designs and constructions.
Oil seals, the technical term is rotary shaft seal, are available in a wide range of designs. The type code identifies the construction: number of sealing lips, outer diameter material and whether a dust lip is included.
The most important distinction is between single-lip and double-lip designs:
Select any type card above to view dimensions, materials and ordering information.
Oil seals are manufactured from different materials so they can match the operating conditions of an application. The choice of sealing material has a direct impact on temperature resistance, chemical compatibility, friction and wear behaviour.
Among elastomers, NBR is widely used for standard oil and grease applications. FKM is chosen more often when higher temperatures or more aggressive media are involved. For special requirements, PTFE-based oil seals are used, particularly in applications with high shaft speeds, limited lubrication or chemically demanding environments.
Besides the lip material, the design of the outer diameter is also important. Oil seals can have a rubber-coated outer diameter to improve tolerance compensation and sealing in less rigid housings, or a metal outer diameter for accurate seating in stiff metallic housings.
The table below compares the available oil seal materials on temperature range, media compatibility and key characteristics.
| Material | Full name | Temperature range | Suitable media | Key properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | Nitrile rubber | approx. -30 °C to +100 °C | Mineral oils, standard greases, industrial lubricants | Standard material for oil seals, good wear resistance, cost-effective, widely used in mechanical engineering. |
| FKM | Fluorocarbon rubber (e.g. Viton) | approx. -20 °C to +200 °C | Hot oils, fuels, synthetic oils, chemical media | Very good heat and chemical resistance, suitable for heavier industrial applications. |
| HNBR | Hydrogenated nitrile rubber | approx. -30 °C to +140 °C | Modern oils with additives, synthetic lubricants | Better ageing, heat and ozone resistance than NBR, suitable for higher pressure and dynamic loads. |
| EPDM | Ethylene propylene diene rubber | approx. -40 °C to +150 °C | Water, hot water, steam, some chemicals (no oil) | Very good resistance to water, steam, weather and ozone, not suitable for mineral oils and greases. |
| VMQ | Silicone rubber | approx. -50 °C to +180 °C | Light oils, greases, large temperature fluctuations | Remains flexible at low temperatures, good temperature range, less suitable for high mechanical loads and high rotational speeds. |
| PTFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) | approx. -60 °C to +200 °C (depending on application) | Aggressive chemicals, high speeds, limited lubrication | Very low friction and excellent chemical resistance, suitable for high rotational speeds and demanding industrial applications. |
Oil seals are used wherever rotating shafts need to be sealed reliably. Typical examples are industrial gearboxes, pumps, electric motors, compressors and many types of mobile machinery.
The exact application determines which oil seal design is appropriate. Parameters such as rotational speed, internal pressure, lubrication type and environmental exposure all play a role in oil seal selection. In a clean, controlled environment, a standard oil seal design may be sufficient. In harsher conditions, an oil seal with additional sealing lips, dust lips or reinforced construction may be required to achieve reliable performance.
This overview page focuses on the general application areas of oil seals. For more detailed information on oil seals for specific industries, machines or operating conditions, you can refer to the corresponding application pages.
Oil seals are produced worldwide by a large number of manufacturers and brands. In the cross reference table of Oil-Seal-Stocks you will find, among others, Dichtomatik, Anyseals, B+S, Chicago R, Elring, Eriks, FP Paris, FST, Gaco, Goetze, Kaco, Kramp, National, Paulstra, Pioneer, Rolf, Stefa, Taiwan/NOK, Vota, Ebele and Kimman. This overview clearly shows that you are not tied to a single manufacturer. In many cases, for an existing oil seal from, for example, Dichtomatik, Chicago R, National or Kaco, a direct equivalent is available from, among others, Anyseals, Eriks, FP Paris, FST, Stefa, Vota or one of the other mentioned brands. This allows you to easily switch between premium brands and high-quality alternatives while dimensions and function remain the same. The cross reference table serves as the link: you start with the brand you currently have (for example Elring, Gaco, Goetze, Paulstra, Pioneer, Rolf, Ebele, Kimman or Kramp) and translate that to the type that you can quickly obtain from stock via Oil-Seal-Stocks.
Start with three dimensions: shaft diameter, housing bore and seal width. These determine which oil seal size fits your application. Detailed dimension tables are available on each type page. If you are working from an existing seal, our oil seal measurement guide explains how to read the dimensions correctly.
Once you have the dimensions, match the operating conditions:
Replacing an existing seal from another brand? Use our oil seal cross reference to find a direct equivalent across brands including Dichtomatik, Elring, Kaco and National.
For correct fitting, see our oil seal installation guide. For personal advice on selection, contact our team.
If you would like more information about the oil-seals or you don't know what size or material you should have, please feel free to contact us.
Oil seals are used to retain oil or grease inside a system and to protect rotating shafts against external contamination. Typical applications include gearboxes, pumps, electric motors and automotive drivetrains, where reliable sealing under continuous rotation is required.
An oil seal and a radial shaft seal refer to the same type of sealing solution. “Radial shaft seal” is the technical term, while “oil seal” is commonly used in practice. Both describe a seal designed to prevent lubricant leakage along a rotating shaft.
Yes, oil seals are manufactured according to standard shaft and housing dimensions. Sizes are defined by the shaft diameter, housing bore and seal width, allowing oil seals to be selected based on standard measurements. Detailed size charts are provided on the relevant product and category pages.
The service life of an oil seal depends on operating conditions such as speed, temperature, lubrication and shaft surface quality. When correctly selected and installed, oil seals can provide long-term, reliable sealing performance. Incorrect selection or installation can significantly reduce service life.
Standard oil seals are primarily designed for applications without significant internal pressure. For pressure-loaded conditions, specific oil seal designs are available that are constructed to withstand higher loads. Selecting the right seal depends on the pressure level and overall operating conditions.
Oil seals rely on a thin lubricating film on the shaft surface to function correctly. This lubrication reduces friction, minimises wear and helps maintain consistent sealing performance. Operating an oil seal without sufficient lubrication can lead to increased wear and premature failure.
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