Abradable Seal

A rotating machinery seal in which one of the mating surfaces is made of a material designed to wear when contact occurs. Abradable-type separation seals can eliminate the need for floating carbon seals, ensure complete oil separation between the bearing housing and seal chamber, and minimize the usage of nitrogen gas over conventional labyrinth seals. Fluorosint or equal abradable materials are offered by most centrifugal pumps and compressor vendors in seal upgrades to improve efficiency and reliability, and to reduce maintenance costs.