Ickekontakttätning

Ickekontakttätning, a German term, translates to non-contact sealing. It refers to a variety of sealing technologies that prevent the leakage of fluids or gases between two surfaces without direct physical contact. These methods are crucial in applications where friction, wear, or contamination from physical contact seals are undesirable.

Common types of non-contact seals include labyrinth seals, which utilize a series of interlocking grooves or fins to create a tortuous path for the fluid. This path increases resistance to flow, effectively sealing the system. Another type is a gas film seal, where a pressurized gas is introduced to create a thin barrier between the rotating and stationary parts. This gas film prevents the leakage of the process fluid. Magnetic seals also fall under this category, employing magnetic forces to hold a sealing element in place without physical contact.

Non-contact seals are advantageous in high-speed rotating equipment, such as turbines and pumps, as they eliminate wear and friction associated with traditional seals. They are also used in applications requiring high purity, like in the semiconductor industry, where contamination from seal wear is a concern. The absence of contact also allows for operation in extreme temperatures and pressures where conventional seals might fail. However, non-contact seals often require a higher initial investment and more precise manufacturing and installation compared to contact seals. They can also be less effective at preventing the ingress of external contaminants at very low speeds or pressures.