Polypac Long Life U-Cup Seals — Reliable, Long-Lasting Hydraulic Seals
Polypac Long Life U-Cup — Engineered for Extended Service Life
Polypac Long Life U-Cup seals are designed to provide durable, efficient sealing in demanding hydraulic environments. Leveraging our decades of material science and seal manufacturing expertise, the Long Life U-Cup maximizes wear resistance and minimizes leakage across a wide range of pressures, speeds and temperatures.
Key Features and Benefits
The Long Life U-Cup features a proven geometry that reduces friction and stabilizes lip contact, delivering consistent sealing and long-term performance. Benefits include reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, improved energy efficiency, and compatibility with both reciprocating and rotary applications.
Advanced Materials and Precision Manufacturing
Polypac manufactures Long Life U-Cup seals using industry-leading elastomers and engineered blends, including NBR, FKM, EPDM, silicone and specialty PTFE compounds. Our 10,000+ m² facility employs state-of-the-art molding and testing equipment to ensure dimensional accuracy, hardness control and material homogeneity—critical factors for extended seal life.
Applications and Operating Conditions
Long Life U-Cup seals are ideal for hydraulic cylinders, piston rods, pumps and actuators used in mobile equipment, industrial machinery, aerospace and marine systems. They perform reliably under high pressure, frequent cycling and contaminated environments when paired with appropriate materials and surface finishes.
Customization, Testing and Quality Assurance
As a scientific and technical seal manufacturer, Polypac offers tailored Long Life U-Cup solutions for special working conditions. We collaborate with universities and research institutes to validate designs and provide comprehensive testing—tensile, compression set, hardness, and simulated lifecycle testing—to guarantee product performance and compliance.
Why Choose Polypac
Founded in 2008, Polypac combines material innovation with production scale to deliver reliable Long Life U-Cup seals. Our expertise in filled PTFE and a wide portfolio of elastomers, plus responsive custom engineering services, make us the partner of choice for OEMs and maintenance teams seeking long-term sealing performance.
Get Started
Contact Polypac for application assessment, material recommendations and rapid prototyping of Long Life U-Cup seals. Optimize your hydraulic systems with seals engineered for life—reduce leaks, extend service intervals, and protect critical equipment.
Long Life U-Cup Display
How do I choose the right material for my sealing application?
Material selection depends on four key factors: Media: What fluid or gas will the seal contact? (e.g., petroleum oil, water, chemicals, steam) Temperature: What is the minimum and maximum operating temperature? Pressure: What is the system's operating pressure? Are there pressure spikes? Application: Is it a static, dynamic, or rotary seal? Example: NBR (Buna-N) is excellent for standard hydraulic oil, while FKM (Viton®) is needed for high temperatures or aggressive chemicals.
How important is surface finish on the metal parts that contact the seal?
Extremely important. A rough surface will abrade and wear out the seal quickly, causing leaks. A finish that is too smooth can prevent a lubricating film from forming. A typical recommended surface finish for dynamic applications is 0.2 to 0.8 μm (8-32 μin) Ra.
What is the difference between NBR and FKM materials?
NBR (Nitrile/Buna-N): A general-purpose, cost-effective material with excellent resistance to petroleum-based oils and fuels. It has a standard temperature range of -30°C to +100°C (-22°F to +212°F). FKM (Fluoroelastomer/Viton®): A premium material with excellent resistance to high temperatures (up to 200°C+), chemicals, and oils. It is used in more severe environments but is more expensive than NBR.
What is the difference between a static seal and a dynamic seal?
A Static Seal is used between two surfaces that do not move relative to each other (e.g., pipe flanges, end caps). O-rings and gaskets are common static seals. A Dynamic Seal is used between surfaces that do move (e.g., piston and cylinder, rotating shaft). Rod seals, piston seals, and rotary shaft seals are designed for this purpose.
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