John CraneSeal Shelf Lifeand StorageGuidelines forContacting
Seals
I-Storage-A
GeneralThis document is intended to be used as a general
guideline forthe storage and protection of John Crane mechanical
seals. Incases where individual mechanical seal products have
storageand preservation requirements specific to that seal,
thoserequirements supersede this document.
This document does not cover non-contacting gas compressorseals.
For gas compressor seals see John Crane technical spec-ification
GS-1-0305 or contact the Type 28 gas seal group.
Storage in End User Products1. When new or refurbished seals are
stored in the customers
equipment the seal cavity must be drained of all water to
prevent damage due to freezing.
2. Any foreign matter should be removed after delivery of the
equipment to the site. The open area between the gland plate and
sleeve should be masked to exclude dirt after cleaning.
3. The suction and discharge flanges should be covered to
exclude airborne debris.
4. All open ports in the Gland Plate and seal chamber must be
plugged with metal plugs.
5. Seals that are used in hydrocarbon based services can be
fogged and filled approximately one quarter with VPI oil.
Alternately the seals can be preserved using an oil, or other
suitable liquid, mist system.
6. The shaft should be marked and rotated several revolutions
per week. The shaft should come to rest no less than ninety degrees
(90) from the previous position.
7. If steps 5 & 6 are properly performed, the seal should be
suitable for service without disassembly. Otherwise, seals stored
over two years in the customers equipment should be disassembled
and examined prior to use.
Customer AssistanceFor questions regarding seal shelf life or
assistance indetermining the suitability for use of seals
exceedingshelf life requirements, contact your John Crane
salesrepresentative or any one of the thirty nine servicecenters
throughout the United States.
Shelf StorageJohn Crane mechanical seals are packaged in a
manner which protects them from airborne particles as well as
normalhandling during transportation. The packaging should
bemaintained when the seals are warehoused waiting for use. If the
packaging is removed for the purposes of inspection, it should be
replaced prior to storage, in order to minimizefactors such as
exposure to ultraviolet light, which may cause elastomers (rubber)
to degrade.
Seals should be stored in a location which has a
stabletemperature and humidity. Severe changes in the
storagelocation environment may cause seals to degrade.
John Crane mechanical seals are primarily made of materialswhich
do not have a restricted shelf life. The exception to this is the
elastomer components. While actual shelf life ofelastomers in some
cases extends to ten years, a seal whichhas been stored for over
one year should be examined toassure that: the elastomers are
suitable for use, and that the sealing faces have retained the
flatness and finishcharacteristics required for the proper
functioning of the seals. Cartridge seals can be air tested prior
to installation to verify seal integrity.
Seal ExaminationSeals which exceed the recommended shelf life
should bedisassembled and an examination of the sealing facesand
the elastomer component should be conducted.Mechanical seal designs
can be intricate and the properassembly is crucial to the effective
functioning of the seal.For this reason, we recommend the
disassembly andexamination of seals exceeding shelf life be
conducted by trained John Crane personnel.
Europe, Middle East, AfricaSlough, UK
Tel: 44-1753-224000Fax: 44-1753-224224
North AmericaMorton Grove, Illinois USA
1-800-SEALINGTel: 1-847-967-2400Fax: 1-847-967-3915
For your nearest John Crane facility, please contact one of the
locations above.
If the products featured will be used in a potentially dangerous
and/or hazardous process, your John Crane representative should be
consulted prior to their selection and use. In the interest of
continuous development, John Crane Companies reserve the right to
alter designs and specifications without prior notice. It is
dangerous to smoke while handling products made from PTFE. Old and
new PTFE products must not be incinerated.
2001 John Crane Print 10/98 www.johncrane.com ISO-Certified QS
9000
Latin AmericaSo Paulo, Brazil
Tel: 55-11-3049-9979Fax: 55-11-3849-4511
Asia PacificSingapore
Tel: 65-861-1288Fax: 65-862-4117
