SEAL FACE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Seal face technologies
Overview
John Crane’s comprehensive suite of seal face technologies is designed to overcome rigorous sealing challenges, including limited seal face lubrication and severe-service duties that adversely affect reliability, operational costs and seal life.
Designed by our engineering experts, John Crane’s mechanical seal face treatment options improve lubrication using precision micromachined patterns engineered to optimise performance in low-lubricity and intermittent dry-running conditions.
Available in different mechanical face seal types, depending on the unique challenges of the application, John Crane delivers the proper seal face technology for the right application.
Protect mechanical seals in severe service conditions
John Crane solutions help tackle:
- High heat generation
- Low-lubricity and dry-running conditions
- Abrasion and contamination
Achieve measurable operational improvements:
- Lower costs
- Reduce leakage and water waste
- Improve pump reliability and lifecycle
- Maximise rotating equipment operations
Explore John Crane’s seal face technologies
Diamond Seal Face Technology
John Crane Diamond® Unique Characteristics Extend Mechanical Seal Life
Derived from nature’s hardest substance, John Crane Diamond uses ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD®) treatment...
UPSTREAM PUMPING
Value and advantages of Upstream Pumping technology
John Crane’s unique, engineered, non-contacting Upstream Pumping seal face technology borrows from gas seal designs to deliver a breakthrough in liquid sealing technology.
The typical mean time between repair (MTBR) for traditional seals is three years, while Upstream Pumping seals are more than five.
Read moreJohn Crane Performance Plus™
John Crane Performance Plus™ is our modular service framework, supported by the largest mechanical seal service network, with over 200 manufacturing, sales and service centres globally. That means we are where you need us, when you need us – empowering people, plant and performance.
Common questions
What is a mechanical face seal?
A mechanical face seal is a specialised sealing device that prevents leakage in pumps and rotating equipment by using precision-engineered seal faces. These faces manage pressure, temperature and lubrication to maintain a stable seal. John Crane’s mechanical face seals are designed for demanding applications requiring high reliability and performance.
How does a mechanical seal face work?
A mechanical face seal works by pressing two extremely flat seal faces together, one rotating and one stationary, to form a controlled leakage barrier. A thin fluid film lubricates the faces, minimising friction and wear. John Crane’s engineered mechanical face seals optimise this interface for reliability and long service life.
What challenges do seal face technologies help to solve?
Seal face technologies address issues such as low-lubricity operation, intermittent dry-running, high heat generation, abrasion and process contamination. These engineered mechanical seal faces improve lubrication, reduce wear, extend seal life and enhance reliability in severe-service applications where standard mechanical face seals struggle to perform.
What industries benefit from advanced seal face technology?
Advanced seal face technologies benefit industries with demanding sealing conditions, including chemical processing, oil and gas, power generation, pharmaceuticals, water treatment and mining. These technologies help improve equipment reliability, reduce leakage and extend the lifecycle of mechanical face seals in harsh or low-lubricity environments.
What is John Crane Diamond® seal face technology?
John Crane Diamond® technology is an advanced diamond-coated mechanical seal face engineered for extreme durability and ultra-low friction. Its nanocrystalline diamond layer improves heat dissipation, reduces wear and enables reliable operation in dry-running and low-lubricity conditions. This results in longer seal life, improved efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
Read our seal face technologies-related insights and case studies
Improving mechanical seal reliability in a highly corrosive chemical production process
