Wave Spring Semi-Cartridge Mechanical Seal

Description; 

The Wave Spring Semi‑Cartridge Mechanical Seal is a compact, precision‑engineered sealing solution developed for hot water, light hydrocarbons and general process services where axial space is limited yet high sealing reliability is essential. The design incorporates a wave‑spring loading element, which provides consistent axial face loading while occupying significantly less axial length than conventional coil springs, making it ideal for space‑constrained pump and rotating‑equipment installations. 

 

Supplied as a factory pre‑assembled semi‑cartridge unit with a pre‑set working length, the seal is ready for immediate installation on the shaft or sleeve. This construction eliminates on‑site setting of seal dimensions, reduces installation time and greatly lowers the risk of assembly errors that can lead to premature failure or excessive leakage. The pre‑assembly and testing process ensures consistent performance from unit to unit and supports reliable commissioning. 

 

The seal is available in both hydraulically balanced and unbalanced configurations, allowing optimisation for different pressure and fluid conditions. Balanced versions are suited to higher‑pressure, higher‑temperature or light‑hydrocarbon services, while unbalanced versions offer a cost‑effective solution for moderate‑duty applications. In all configurations, the wave‑spring element provides uniform, responsive face loading for stable operation under fluctuating pressures, temperatures and speeds. 

 

Engineered for demanding industrial environments, Wave Spring Semi‑Cartridge Mechanical Seals deliver long‑term reliability with minimal maintenance requirements. Their rugged, service‑friendly design is well proven in sectors such as chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, power generation and water treatment, where controlled emissions, clean operation and high equipment availability are critical. The seals are particularly suitable for process pumps, vacuum systems, solvent and resin plants, chilling units and other general‑purpose rotating equipment handling clean or lightly contaminated process fluids subject to temperature and pressure variations. 

 

By combining a compact wave‑spring layout with semi‑cartridge construction, this seal offers an excellent balance of installation flexibility, operational reliability and life‑cycle cost, making it a preferred choice for upgrades and new installations where space, uptime and maintainability are key considerations. 

 

Features; 

• Single, refurbish-able wave‑spring semi‑cartridge seal for hot water, light hydrocarbons and general process fluids. 

• Hydraulically balanced and unbalanced configurations available for both high‑pressure and standard‑duty services. 

• Compact wave spring design provides uniform face loading with minimal axial length, ideal for space‑constrained pumps. 

• Factory‑assembled, pre‑set semi‑cartridge construction enables quick installation, easy removal and reduced risk of setting errors. 

• Metric and inch sizes with optional flushing and quench connections, compatible with a wide range of metallurgy and elastomers for application‑specific material selection. 

 

Service Overview; 

Parameter	Value
Equipment	Process pumps, vacuum systems, solvent & chilling plants
Fluid	Hot water, light hydrocarbons, solvents
Service Nature	Clean to mildly contaminated, thermal & pressure cycling
Operating Mode	Continuous / intermittent process duty

 

Specifications; 

Item	Min	Max	Typical / Notes
Shaft Size	20 mm (0.750”)	100 mm (4.000”)	Standard range; customizable
Pressure	—	12 bar (174 psi)	Balanced design preferred for higher pressure
Temperature	-50°C (-58°F)	180°C (356°F)	Based on elastomer selection
Speed	—	2900 RPM	Typical process pump limit

 

Materials; 

Component	Standard Material	Optional Material	Comment
Seal Faces	Carbon / Silicon Carbide	Tungsten Carbide / SiC-SiC	Optimized for hydrocarbons & water
Elastomers	FKM (Viton)	EPDM / PTFE	Based on fluid compatibility
Metal Parts	SS 304 / SS 316	Duplex SS / Hastelloy / Alloy 20	Corrosion resistance options
Springs	SS 316 Wave Spring	Hastelloy / Alloy Steel	Enhanced corrosion resistance

 

Applications; 

• Food & beverage processing plants 

• Solvent recovery and chilling plants 

• Pulp & paper processing equipment 

• Oil & gas transfer and handling equipment 

• Petrochemical and refinery process pumps 

• Power generation and cooling water systems 

• Vacuum distillation and evaporation systems 

• Pharmaceutical and chemical processing systems 

 

Operating Limits; 

Parameter	Value
Pressure	Up to 12 bar (174 psi)
Temperature	-50°C to +180°C (-58°F to +356°F)
Speed	Up to 2900 RPM
Size Range	20 mm to 100 mm (0.750” to 4.000”)