V-rings Type VL

Composition and construction of the L10

At around 15–20 m/s, the lip begins to lift from the counterface and the contact pressure drops toward zero. In that range, the ring functions more as a gap seal and flinger disc, with very low friction. Up to about 10 m/s, friction losses generally increase, after which they decrease again at higher speeds.

Applications and why the L10 fits them well

You mainly see the V-ring L10 where external contamination is the biggest enemy and where you want to keep the primary seal or the bearing as clean as possible for as long as possible. Think of bearing shields and bearing housings as a pre-seal, electric motors and drives in dusty environments, gearboxes and transmission units that operate outdoors or in wet conditions, and pumps or rotating units where splash water, cleaning or condensation plays a role. The L10 is also a practical solution in agricultural and construction machinery, where mud and dust are continuously present. Precisely because it is compact, it often still fits in places where a standard V-ring profile requires too much installation length. This gives you a simple additional barrier against dirt and water, without immediately making the design more complex.

Materials: what can you choose and what are they good at?

In the market, the L10 is usually available from stock in NBR 60 and FKM 60. NBR is the standard material with a broad application range: it is wear-resistant, suitable for many mineral-based oils and greases and can generally be used from about –40 to +100 °C. The downside is that NBR is less suitable for prolonged higher temperatures and that it can age faster than FKM in outdoor installations or in environments with high ozone/weather exposure. FKM is the choice when temperatures are higher or when you are dealing with more aggressive media and chemicals. It typically remains usable up to about +200 °C and scores strongly on ageing, ozone and weather resistance, which also makes it attractive for outdoor use. A drawback is that FKM is generally less favourable at lower temperatures and that you usually choose it when you really need that extra resistance. For specific media, some suppliers can also provide other elastomers such as EPDM, HNBR or CR on request.

Material Table

V-rings compared: L10 versus A10, S10 and E10

The A10 V-ring is the standard V-ring you see in most applications: a widely applicable profile with a straight back that is mainly intended as a pre-seal to keep dirt, dust and splash water out and to protect a bearing or radial shaft seal. The S10 V-ring follows the same sealing principle, but has a conically extended retaining section. As a result, in practice it often sits slightly more securely on the shaft and is more interesting if you are concerned about “creeping” due to vibration, varying load or higher speeds. The V-ring L10 was developed for compact installation situations: the profile is smaller and remains uniform across diameters, so you need less axial space while still keeping the same function as a pre-seal and flinger/splash protection. The E10 V-ring is an alternative design that does not fall under the standard A/S/L profiles and is often supplied on request. You mainly choose E10 when the standard profiles do not work well geometrically or when your supplier recommends a heavier/differently shaped V-ring for a more robust setup. In short: A10 is the safe all-rounder, S10 is the “extra grip” variant, L10 is the compact choice, and E10 is the design you choose when you are better served by a different geometry or a heavier execution.

How to choose the right V-ring L10

The choice starts with the shaft diameter, because the V-ring is stretched over the shaft and must clamp by inherent tension. It is important not to make the stretch greater than necessary: the more you stretch the ring, the higher the contact force of the lip against the counterface becomes, which can increase friction and wear. That is why you preferably choose a size that falls within the recommended range values of the size table and keeps the stretch as limited as possible. Next, you determine the material based on temperature and medium: NBR is often the best all-round choice for standard grease and oil environments and normal temperatures, while FKM is logical for higher temperatures, outdoor installations or more aggressive media.

Then comes the counterface, because that is where the dynamic sealing takes place. The flatness and roughness of that surface largely determine service life and the behaviour of the lip. Datasheets provide guideline values for this, where liquid media combined with higher circumferential speeds require a much smoother surface than sealing against grease and dust at lower speeds. The material of the counterface also matters: common steels, stainless steels or cast materials are generally suitable, but for water or corrosive media a protected surface or stainless steel is often more sensible. Finally, you look at operating condition and speed. In some situations it is wise to provide a simple axial stop or retention, so that the ring does not “creep” axially at higher speeds or with minimal stretch. At very high speeds, additional radial retention can also be relevant, depending on compound and preload. If you design according to the manufacturer’s size tables, tolerances and installation recommendations, you will usually be in a good place quickly.

Cross Reference

In summary, the V-Ring L10 is a compact profile rotary seal designed for efficient sealing in compact installation situations. Its purpose is to effectively seal rotating shafts, preventing the ingress of contaminants and leakage of grease. With its compact profile geometry, the V-Ring L10 provides reliable sealing performance while minimizing space requirements. Trust in the V-Ring L10 for efficient and effective sealing solutions in compact applications.

If you would like more information, of if you do not know which Ring you should have, feel free to contact us. 

FAQ - V-ring L10 (VL)