Oil Seal SC - Rotary Shaft Seal

What is an SC Oil Seal?

The SC oil seal is a rotary shaft seal with an elastomer coated outer diameter. To keep a consistent sealing, there is a steel garter spring which keeps the main sealing lip in contact with the rotating shaft. This design is called a “spring-loaded lip” and it’s made to keep constant radial pressure over a longer period. The rubber coated outside of the SC oil seal ensures a tight press fit into the house bore and is available in a variety of elastomers. Unlike the TC oil seals, which incorporates a secondary dust lip for added exclusion capability, the SC oil seals focus solely on fluid retention. Their streamlined design reduces friction, heat generation, and material cost, making them the ideal solution for controlled environments where external contaminants are limited. SC rotary shaft seals are ideal for thin-body lubricants and certain gaseous media when pressure limits remain within the specified operating range. Because of their simple single-lip geometry, they generate less heat and friction compared to dual-lip profiles, which benefits high-speed or energy-efficient systems.

When should you choose an SC Profile?

SC shaft seals are best suited for clean operational environments, such as:

• Electric motors
• Light-duty gearboxes
• Pumps
• Home appliances
• Agricultural equipment (with internal lubrication)

Their compact form factor and lower friction make SC oil seals advantageous in applications prioritizing efficiency, low torque, or space constraints. When dust, mud, or abrasive particles are not a concern, SC seals offer long-lasting performance with minimal complexity.

Material Options and Operating Ranges

SC rotary shaft seals are available in various elastomer types tailored to specific media and temperature demands. Below is a comparison of common compounds and their operating properties:

The choice of material should align with the lubricant type, thermal conditions, and any exposure to aggressive chemicals or additives. The standard oil seal SC typically uses and NBR 70 shore A compound, which offers a strong balance between elastic, wear resistance, and compatibility with mineral oil-based lubricants. The garter springs, that are used to keep constant contact between sealing lip and rotating shaft, are commonly manufactured from carbon spring steel according to DIN EN 10270-1, or from stainless steel grade 1.4301 for enhanced corrosion protection. 

Design considerations for shaft and housing

SC vs. Other Oil Seal Profiles

Understanding the difference between SC and other shaft seal types helps in selecting the optimal profile:

• SC vs. TC: TC incorporates a dust lip for additional protection in dirty or wet environments, while SC is leaner and preferred for clean, internal systems.
• SC vs. TB: Both feature a metal case, but TB has a dual lip setup; SC is single-lip and simpler.
• SC vs. VC: VC seals may feature reinforced construction or alternative casing materials for high-pressure conditions; SC is suited for general-purpose use.

In short, SC is the go-to profile when dust exclusion isn’t critical, but low friction and cost-efficiency are. For a broader selection, explore our complete range of general rotary shaft seals, covering multiple designs and material options for diverse industrial needs.

Cross-Reference of SC Oil Seal Codes

Many manufacturers use different naming conventions or legacy codes to refer to the SC profile. Here’s a cross-reference table with equivalents:

These equivalencies are helpful when replacing seals across international or legacy stock lists.

Applications and Advantages

Oil seals SC perform best in interval environments where there are little to no contaminating risks and the focus is on lubricant retention. Because it’s compact design they are widely used in small to medium rotating assemblies, automotive pumps, and auxiliary devices. You’ll also find the SC rotary shaft seals in industrial rollers and conveyors due to their low-friction properties. Additionally, enclosed electric drive systems take advantage of their efficiency and reduced wear. Due to the simple structure of the oil seal SC, it’s simpler to install and it’s also a better economical choice than dual-lip variants, especially in situations where the added protection of a dust lip is unnecessary. For housings that require improved static retention due to bore imperfections or thermal cycling, a ribbed outer diameter alternative such as the G10 profile may be a more suitable choice. For higher temperature environments, the SC Plus - Viton oil seal provides the same design as SC but is manufactured from FKM material, ensuring greater heat resistance and durability. 

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