Component or Cartridge: How to Choose the Right Seal

Sealing systems play a massive role in the functionality, durability, and overall integrity of rotating equipment. Whether you choose a component or cartridge seal, using a proper mechanical seal is always helpful in the industrial success of businesses. From making production processes more sustainable to reducing replacement costs and preventing fluid leakage, there’s no doubt that mechanical seals offer benefits that are irreplaceable by conventional sealing systems.

However, many manufacturers today still struggle to choose between component and cartridge seals, increasing the need to learn about the characteristics of each of them.

If you want to purchase and install the right mechanical seal to your rotating equipment or industrial pump, here’s what you should know about cartridge and component seals.

Component Seals

If you’re looking for standard mechanical seals that meet the needs of various industrial applications, a component seal is the right choice. These include replaceable seal faces, o-rings, and other components that must be accurately installed by a qualified mechanical seal engineer before installation.

However, component seals also come with a significant amount of risk when it comes to their functionality. It’s because the slightest mistake in their component assembly will lead to mechanical seal failure. Furthermore, hiring a pump engineer to work on a component seal can also be highly costly, especially if you’re on a limited budget.

Cartridge Mechanical Seals

Cartridge mechanical seals, on the other hand, are an excellent choice if you’re looking to save time, costs, and the risk factors discussed above. It’s because these mechanical seals are built within an enclosed sealing system.

The components inside a cartridge seal are pre-assembled and tested before installation. As a result, you can easily install the seal on your equipment without extensive assistance from a pump engineer.

Choosing the Right Mechanical Seal

The choice among cartridge or component seals essentially depends on your industrial objectives. If you’re all about using mechanical seals with maximum reliability, higher ROIs, and affordability, it’s always a better idea to go for cartridge seals unless you have a professional mechanical seal engineer who can easily install a component seal for you.

Feel free to contact us at Robco of America to learn more. We’re a leading mechanical seals company in the US, assisting our customers with various mechanical seal designs locally tested in our Texas facility. Call us at 1-800-662-0585 today!