Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has started supplying shaft seals to a major auto-maker from Detroit for its pick-up trucks and SUVs. The company stated in its press release that lightweight BlueSeal systems will be installed on the V6 and V8 engines. The company also stated that the seals will provide significant weight, friction and installation advantages over older and more traditional radial shaft seals. The system is 40 percent lighter than traditional radial seals and needs half the space to install.
The seals are made of a single material (a steel-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is manufactured to bear harsh engine fluid while providing axial space reduction. The company produces more than 2 million BlueSeals each year with production expected to rise above 4 million units annually. The company states that it supports both internal combustion powertrain applications and new technologies that such a lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. The BlueSeals, the company states, will satisfy in both areas.
The company’s vice president of automotive sale, Jeff Nelson stated, “The automotive industry is undergoing profound transmission and driveline changes. It is our job to provide solutions that address the needs of all mobility platforms regardless of the fuel they use.”
