Metal axial face seals, also known as “Gamma Seals”, are sealing elements designed to protect bearings, radial oil seals and rotating assemblies from the ingress of external contaminants. Made up of a metal ring and an elastomeric sealing lip, they act axially against a fixed surface, creating an effective barrier against dust, dirt, water, moisture, splashing and abrasive particles.
Thanks to their robust design, these seals not only contribute to the tightness of the system but also protect the sealing element from mechanical damage and, as they rotate, create a deflector effect that throws contaminants away from the contact area. They are therefore widely used in electric motors, gearboxes, pumps, transmissions, agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, heavy vehicles and many applications where bearing reliability is critical.
This type of seal can be seen as the metal evolution of traditional v-rings / v-seals, or elastomeric axial sealing rings, providing greater mechanical protection for the sealing lip and excellent resistance to severe environments. As well as sealing, the rotating design itself creates a deflector effect that helps throw liquids and contaminants away from the contact area.
RE and RE1 axial face seals can be manufactured in different elastomeric compounds to suit the specific conditions of each application. The most common material is NBR (nitrile rubber), widely used for its excellent behaviour with mineral oils and greases, its good tear resistance and its excellent performance-to-cost ratio. For applications exposed to high temperatures or more aggressive chemicals, they are also available in FKM (Viton®), as well as in other special elastomers on request.
The metal case is normally manufactured in corrosion-protected steel, although stainless steel versions can also be supplied for particularly damp or corrosive environments, or those exposed to chemical agents. The right combination of elastomer and metal makes it possible to optimise the durability and performance of the seal even under the most demanding service conditions.
At OSN Seals we offer a wide range of RE and RE1 axial face seals for the protection of bearings, radial oil seals and rotating systems. If you need to identify an existing reference, find an equivalent between manufacturers or select the most suitable material for your application, our technical team will help you choose the sealing solution that best fits your needs.
