What is an SC Plus oil seal?
An SC Plus oil seal is a non-pressure rotary shaft seal used to retain oil, grease or other lubricants around a rotating shaft. The seal has a spring-loaded sealing lip and a fully elastomer-encased reinforcement ring. This construction helps create a secure static seal in the housing and supports reliable dynamic sealing on the shaft.
The SC Plus profile is suitable for clean, enclosed rotary applications where lubricant retention, material resistance and housing fit are more important than external contamination protection. Because the SC Plus oil seal does not have an additional dust lip, it can offer lower friction than double-lip designs, but it is not the first choice for dirty or wet environments.
SC Plus vs SC oil seal
The main difference between an SC oil seal and an SC Plus oil seal is the execution of the profile and reinforcement. A standard SC oil seal is commonly used as a single-lip rotary shaft seal for clean and enclosed systems. The SC Plus oil seal is selected when the application requires the specific SC Plus execution, including a fully elastomer-encased reinforcement ring for improved housing sealing and corrosion protection.
Choose an SC oil seal when a standard single-lip profile is sufficient. Choose an SC Plus oil seal when the original specification, housing condition, material requirement or application design calls for the SC Plus profile.
SC Plus vs TC and TC Plus oil seals
SC Plus, TC and TC Plus oil seals are all rotary shaft seals, but they are not used for the same sealing requirement. The SC Plus oil seal has one spring-loaded sealing lip and no additional dust lip. This makes it suitable for clean, enclosed systems where low friction and lubricant retention are important.
A TC oil seal is a double-lip oil seal with an additional dust lip for protection against dirt, dust and moisture. A TC Plus oil seal is selected when the application requires the specific TC Plus execution. If external contamination is a key risk, TC or TC Plus is usually more suitable than SC Plus.
If pressure resistance is the main requirement, compare the TCN pressure oil seal instead. SC Plus is designed for non-pressurized or very light-pressure rotary shaft applications.
SC Plus FKM/Viton oil seals
SC Plus oil seals are often supplied in FKM/Viton for applications involving higher temperatures, oils, fuels or chemically demanding media. This makes an SC Plus FKM oil seal or SC Plus Viton oil seal relevant for buyers looking for a Viton lip seal or shaft seal Viton solution, while still needing the specific SC Plus profile.
NBR is a common material choice for standard oil and grease applications. FKM/Viton is usually selected when higher temperature resistance or stronger chemical compatibility is required. Depending on the compound and operating conditions, FKM/Viton can be suitable for continuous operation up to approximately 160°C, with higher peak temperatures possible where the application, lubricant and load allow it.
| Material |
Typical use |
Key characteristics |
| NBR |
Standard oil and grease sealing |
Economical, wear-resistant and widely used |
| FKM/Viton |
Higher temperatures, fuels, oils and chemicals |
Strong heat and chemical resistance |
| HNBR |
Oils, coolants and mechanically demanding conditions |
Good mechanical strength and ozone resistance |
| ACM |
Transmission oils and higher-temperature oil applications |
Good resistance to heat and oxidation |
| VMQ / Silicone |
Low-temperature flexibility and light-duty applications |
Flexible at low temperatures, limited oil resistance depending on medium |
| EPDM |
Water and polar media |
Not suitable for mineral oil applications |
When to choose an SC Plus rotary shaft seal
Choose an SC Plus rotary shaft seal when the application requires the SC Plus profile, a secure elastomer-coated outside diameter and reliable sealing around a rotating shaft. The right seal depends on the shaft diameter, housing bore, seal width, material, medium, temperature, shaft speed and pressure conditions.
SC Plus is especially relevant for enclosed systems such as gearboxes, drive units, motors, generators and industrial equipment where the main goal is to retain lubricant and maintain reliable sealing. It is less suitable for applications with heavy external contamination, mud, abrasive particles or higher pressure. In those cases, compare a TC, TC Plus or TCN pressure oil seal before selecting a replacement.
Compare related oil seal types
| Oil seal type |
Choose this type when... |
| SC oil seal |
You need a standard single-lip rotary shaft seal for clean, enclosed applications. |
| SC Plus oil seal |
You need the specific SC Plus profile with a fully elastomer-encased reinforcement ring. |
| TC oil seal |
You need a standard double-lip oil seal with additional dust lip protection. |
| TC Plus oil seal |
You need the specific TC Plus execution or a related double-lip alternative. |
| TCN pressure oil seal |
You need a pressure-resistant rotary shaft seal. |
| All oil seals |
You want to compare all available oil seal profiles in one overview. |
Available SC Plus oil seal sizes and materials
Oil-Seal-Stocks offers SC Plus oil seals in multiple shaft, bore and width dimensions. Use the product filters above to find the correct SC Plus oil seal size, material and execution. If the required size is not listed, contact us to check availability, custom sizes or a suitable alternative rotary shaft seal.
When selecting an SC Plus oil seal, check the shaft tolerance, housing tolerance, surface roughness, shaft hardness, lubrication and material compatibility. For optimal performance, the sealing lip should be lubricated during installation to avoid dry running and premature wear.
FAQ about SC Plus oil seals
