ISO 6194-3:2009

Overview

ISO 6194-3:2009 - Rotary shaft lip-type seals incorporating elastomeric sealing elements - Part 3: Storage, handling and installation provides requirements and practical guidance for preserving the performance and service life of rotary shaft lip-type seals that use elastomeric sealing elements (suitable for low-pressure applications). The standard emphasizes hazard awareness and methods to avoid damage prior to and during installation.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Storage practices
  • Store seals in accordance with ISO 2230 and ISO 6194-3 guidance: protect from mechanical damage, dust, grit, insects and rodents; prefer closed containers and non-work-area locations.
  • Avoid excessive stacking that could crush cartons or deform seals.
  • Storage-life guidelines (maximum, when stored per ISO 2230 and ISO 6194-3):
    • Fluorocarbon (FKM): 10 years
    • Polyacrylate (ACM/AEM): 7 years
    • Butadiene/Acrylonitrile (NBR): 7 years
    • Hydrogenated NBR (HNBR with some unsaturation): 7 years
• Packaging and unpacking
  • Protect seals en route and in storage; unpack carefully (avoid knives/screwdrivers) and do not remove seals from packaging until ready for installation.
• Handling of loose parts
  • Handle seal lips with care - the smallest nick can create a leak path.
  • Never hang seals on nails/strings or thread on wires; avoid contact of metal edges with rubber parts.
  • Clean only with manufacturer‑approved solvents; never use abrasive cleaners or corrosive chemicals that can swell or damage elastomers or bond lines.
• Installation practices
  • Inspect seals before fitting; apply a light coat of agreed clean lubricant to sealing lips and, if applicable, to the rubber-covered outside surface.
  • Provide lead-in chamfers on shaft and housing per ISO 6194-1.
  • Use proper installation tools and align seals with machined surfaces to ensure squareness; avoid deforming seal case.
  • Use special tools (bullet-nose, soft-jig alternatives avoided) to slide seals over splines/keyways; do not use soft aluminium tools that nick easily.
  • If forcing press-fitted components over the running area is necessary, reduce shaft diameter in the running area by 0.2 mm.
  • For low-temperature assembly, restore lip flexibility by immersing seals 10–15 min in a compatible fluid ≤50 °C.
  • On replacement, fit a new seal and offset it from the previous wear track (use spacers or vary seal depth).

Applications and users

• Applicable to engineers, maintenance technicians, procurement/specification writers, OEMs and seal manufacturers working with rotary shaft lip-type seals, especially in low-pressure rotating equipment such as pumps, gearboxes, motors and rotating housings.
• Useful for maintenance procedures, quality control, vendor contracts and installation work instructions.

Related standards

• ISO 6194-1 (nominal dimensions and tolerances)
• ISO 6194-2 (vocabulary)
• ISO 6194 (other parts) and ISO 16589 (thermoplastic sealing elements)
• ISO 2230 (rubber product storage guidelines)

Keywords: ISO 6194-3:2009, rotary shaft lip-type seals, elastomeric sealing elements, storage handling installation, seal installation, seal storage life, lip-type seals.