Two Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Aluminum Seals
When it comes to ensuring that fluids and gases do not escape from your industrial machines, it is imperative for you to use the appropriate seal to keep the system contained. While there are many different types of seals that you can use for these tasks, aluminum ones have emerged as a popular choice for their affordability and durability. Despite being highly durable, these seals will still require regular care to help them avoid failing. If this is a topic that you have not considered, the following two tips can help you avoid these problems.
Inspect The Seals For Corrosion
Many people are under the impression that aluminum will never corrode, but this is far from the truth. While this metal is highly resistant to corroding, long-term exposure to moisture can severely degrade the quality and strength of the metal. As a result of this, it is critically important for you to inspect the seals for these issues on a regular basis. In most cases, this will only need to be done about once or twice a year, but you may need to do it more if you live in a particularly humid environment.
When inspecting an aluminum seal, you should look for the traditional red color of rust, but this is not the only sign that corrosion is starting to impact the seal. If you notice an accumulation of a crystal-like white substance on the metal, this is a type of corrosion, and it should be treated just as seriously as rust.
Replace Them On A Regular Basis
Despite the best attempts at maintenance, it will eventually be necessary to replace these seals. This occurs because the metal will gradually warp from the pressure of being clamped around the pipe or tube. While it is possible to wait until a seal fails to replace it, this can subject your workers to unnecessary risks, and it can result in major damage to your equipment.
As a result, you should create a schedule for replacing these seals in a controlled manner. Each seal manufacturer is required to provide an expected lifetime of the device, and you should use this to guide your replacement schedule.
Aluminum seals have a tremendous number advantages over other options, but it is important for you to properly maintain these devices to avoid major problems. By understanding the benefits of following these two tips, you can help ensure that your business avoid the liability or expenses associated with these problems.
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