Material: There are several material options. Nitrile (Blank), Viton (V), Silicone (S), EPDM (E), Carboxylated Nitrile (X), HNBR (H), Polyacrylate (P), and Teflon (T).

Lubricant Amount - Seals will always perform best when lubricated, however in some machines there are more likely to be dry spells. For these cases, selecting a leather or PTFE seal will be beneficial, as both can operate with less lubrication than others.

The seal shown in Fig. 14.2 is a relatively simple design; most automotive seals are more complex. Dust lips are often used to keep outside contaminants away from the oil lip seals; such seals thus have undercuts that make demolding more difficult. Fluoroelastomer compounds used for such undercut shapes must have reasonably high elongation at break at molding temperatures to avoid tearing the part during demolding. The metal insert is often U-shaped, and stock may be molded to form a thin layer over the outside of the insert. Since both compression and injection molding methods are used, suppliers of fluoroelastomers for shaft-seal applications often must provide different versions of the same polymer composition-medium to high viscosity for compression molding, and low to medium viscosity for injection molding. Different precompounds may be necessary to accommodate relatively long compression-molding times at low temperature and very short injection-molding times at high temperature.

In choosing the right oil seal type for your application, it is essential to assess factors such as speed, temperature range, pressure levels, chemical compatibility, shaft material, and installation space limitations. By considering these factors carefully, you can ensure that you select an oil seal that will provide optimal performance and longevity in your specific application.