Smalley Laminar Sealing Rings - Available in Canada from RotoPrecision Inc.

Smalley Laminar Sealing Retaining Rings

A Smalley Laminar Seal Retaining Ring is a metallic labyrinth seal consisting of multiple rings in a groove. This arrangement of the rings and the specific orientation of the rings are dictated by the application and the severity of the environment.  They are often used as an alternative means of sealing components in assemblies from sources of contamination.

Smalley laminar sealing rings are produced from metal (not rubber, neoprene or other non-metallic material) which allows then to withstand higher temperatures, more corrosive environments and more extreme conditions than more common O-rings or conventional rubber seals. 

There are 16 series of standard English & Metric Laminar Seal Ring configurations to select from. Eight of these series are sets consisting of single-turn rings. The other 8 series are sets consisting of double-turn rings. The selection of the appropriate set is determined by the application. Standard parts are available from 5/8" to 50" and 15 mm to 1,300 mm with specials also available with No-Tooling-Charges™. 

For some applications, a complete labyrinth configuration (i.e. one which has rings staggered within the set) is necessary due to a severe environment where contamination is highly probable. In other applications design engineers can keep the groove dimensions minimal by specifying laminar sets with rings clinging either to the bore or shaft.

Advantages of Smalley Laminar Sealing Rings

• No friction with other rotating components; ideal for high speed applications.

• Prevents dirt and splash water from contaminating components.

• When used in conjunction with other seals, Laminar Seals provide a primary seal against severe contamination before the contaminants come in contact with the secondary seal.

• Sets of multiple rings provide an efficient labyrinth seal.

• Rings may be produced from a wide variety of alloys to withstand more severe conditions including higher temperatures and corrosive environments.

• As a metallic mechanical seal they can outperform rubber seals in durability and life expectancy.

• The change from rubber to metal reduces the need for frequent seal replacement.

Single-Turn Laminar Sealing Rings

Used in a variety of applications, the Smalley single-turn laminar seal rings are well-suited for light to medium duty applications depending on the ring configuration specified. The sets are comprised of single-turn rings in either 3-rings per set or 5-rings per set configurations. 3-ring sets are typically are used to protect components from low dirt and low splash water contamination; 5-ring sets provide a better labyrinth seal to protect components from medium dirt and medium splash water contamination. The standard single-turn laminar rings listed below are readily available from stock. Specials are also available with No-Tooling-Charges™.

Series (Click a Series for PDF Charts)
Internal External	Light Duty 1 set = 3 rings (rings rotate with bore only). The YH/YS and QH/QS series are commonly used to protect bearing systems by retaining grease/lubricant and preventing water or other contaminating liquids from penetrating into the critical areas of an assembly.
	YH	Internal, Inch
	QH	Internal, Metric
	YS	External, Inch
	QS	External, Metric
Internal External	Medium Duty 1 set = 5 rings (3 rings rotate with bore and 2 rings rotate with shaft). The alternating (staggered) series YHK/YSK and QHK/QSK offer further improved sealing efficiency due to an increased labyrinth seal. They are often specified where the lubricating grease may liquefy due to higher operating temperatures or where protection against larger amounts of contaminating liquids (such as cooling water) is required.
	YHK	Internal, Inch
	QHK	Internal, Metric
	YSK	External, Inch
	QSK	External, Inch

Double-Turn Laminar Sealing Rings

Double-Turn Laminar Sealing Rings offer a higher clamping force when installed in the bore or on the shaft. They are suited for higher operating speeds, have 360° contact (no axial gap) and should be used where application conditions are more severe. For example, an application where high amounts of dirt and dust are present and the ring sets provide the necessary seal against contamination from outside elements. They are also used to protect contacting radial seals, rubber seals, O-rings and other oil seals. The sets are comprised of double-turn rings in either 3-rings per set or 5-rings per set configurations. 2-ring sets are typically used to protect components from medium dirt and medium splash water contamination; 3-ring sets provide a better labyrinth seal to protect components from heavy dirt and heavy splash water contamination. The standard double-turn laminar rings listed below are readily available from stock. Specials are also available with No-Tooling-Charges™.

Series (Click a Series for PDF Charts)
Internal External	Medium / Heavy Duty 1 set = 2 rings (rings rotate with bore only). The YHD/QHD and YSD/QSD are commonly used to protect bearing systems by retaining grease / lubricant and preventing water or other contaminating liquids from penetrating into the critical areas of an assembly. They offer a higher clamping force when installed in the bore or on the shaft and are suited for higher operating speeds, have 360° contact (no axial gap), and are well-suited where application conditions are more severe.
	YHD	Internal, Inch
	QHD	Internal, Metric
	YSD	External, Inch
	QSD	External, Metric
Internal External	Heavy Duty 1 set = 3 rings (2 rings rotate with bore and 1 ring rotates with shaft). The alternating (staggered) series YHKD/QHKD and YSKD/QSKD offer further improved sealing efficiency due to an increased seal. They offer protection in the most severe environments with 360° sealing contact in both the bore and on the shaft.
	YHKD	Internal, Inch
	QHKD	Internal, Metric
	YSKD	External, Inch
	QSKD	External, Inch

Sample Applications

To view several sample applications including a coupling, bearing, idler pulley and high speed spindle, please open the following PDF:

• Laminar Sealing Ring Sample Applications (PDF)