Piston Seals

Piston seals ensure sealing during the linear movement of pistons and cylinder bores. The pressure acting on the piston varies depending on the direction of movement and can exceed 400 bar. The pressure applied to the piston seal increases the contact forces between the piston seal and the cylinder. Therefore, the surface properties are of significant importance for reliable sealing functionality. Piston seals are usually classified into single-acting seals (pressure is applied only on one side) or double-acting seals (pressure is applied on both sides). Depending on the profile and the required properties, a piston seal can be made from a single material or from multiple materials. Typical materials for piston seals include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PA), and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR).