INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3, pp.

485-490 JUNE 2011 / 485

DOI: 10.1007/s12541-011-0062-3

Analysis on the Mechanical Characteristics of PTFE

Oil Seal for the Rear Part in the Automotive Engine
Hyun-Jin Choi1,#, Chul-Woo Park1, Jong-Cheol Lee2, Jong-Gab Kim2 and Seong-Dae Choi3
1 Daegu Machinery Institute of Component & Materials, 12, Horim-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea, 704-240
2 Jinyang Oil Seal Co.,Ltd., 100-52, Galsan-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea, 704-900
3 School of Mechanical Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 1, Yangho-dong, Gumi, Gyeongbuk, South Korea, 730-701
# Corresponding Author / E-mail: knut21c@dmi.re.kr, TEL: +82-53-608-2031, FAX: +82-53-608-2039

KEYWORDS: Seal of automotive engine, PTFE oil-seal, Engine rear part, Stress analysis, Mechanical characteristic

This study analyzed the mechanical characteristics and evaluated their subsequent performance for two types of seals which
reinforce characteristics with lower friction and anti-wear functions among the foremost important features in the
automotive engine seals; one with the addition of glass fiber to PTFE; the other with the addition of self-lubricant
molybdenum in addition to the glass fiber. Based on the configuration design of seal installed to the rear part in the
automotive engine, this study carried out interpretations on the stress and reaction for those two types of oil seals to
compare the maximum stress and contact load generated from the seal steel, rubber and PTFE lip. This study also verified
the stress concentration and anti-wear performance through the coefficient of friction, torque and durability test by
producing two types of PTFE seals actually.

Manuscript received: April 6, 2010 / Accepted: December 16, 2010

the reinforcing metal ring. The role of sealing can be realized by

NOMENCLATURE
CF = coefficient of friction
CSF = coefficient for static friction
CKF = coefficient of kinetic
T = torque (kgf·mm)
RF = radial force (kgf)
WA = wear amount (mm)
1. Introduction
Technologies in the automotive industry have recently advanced
under two technological goals including the extension of lifetime
for the durability of automobiles as well as the technological
intensification based on the electronic/modular features. The
durability for components consisting of the engine or transmission
as core units in the automobile has been considered more important
than other parts in the automobile in terms of the extension of
durability. Especially, it is clear that the sealing is an important
element in the performance and durability of an automobile engine.
In general, the oil seal for an automotive engine is structured with
the insertion of spring components for the proper tightening force to
the lip after the synthetic rubber to form the seal lip is embodied to
forming a very thin oil membrane under the relative motion
between the seal lip end and axial surface for the sealing with the
rotating axle. However, the excessive wear in the seal lip and shaft
might occur from the increased effects of abrasives due to the
accumulation of foreign substances for the internal remaining gas as
well as the carbon sludge inside the automotive engine during the
rotation in the seal lip to play the role of sealing. The lethal defect
in the engine might occur from the oil leakage in the engine because
of this excessive abrasion. In order to improve such defects, this
study aimed at developing the PTFE oil seal in one frame with the
excellent durability and lower friction features by applying the
existing rubber materials in consideration of the easier assembly
with the characteristics of compressed sealing for the engine
housing in the outer diameter, as well as by applying PTFE with the
more excellent durability and material properties in the inner
diameter of oil seal than the rubber materials. PTFE is a type of
Teflon, which is applied to the oilless sliding materials or bearing
with its improved mechanical characteristics such as the hardness
and anti-wear features with the addition of special organic
compounds or fillings. This study compared and analyzed the
mechanical characteristics of both a seal with the addition of glass
fiber to PTFE (hereinafter “A” type) and another seal with the
addition and mixing of molybdenum sulfide as the self-lubricant in

© KSPE and Springer 2011

 486 / JUNE 2011
addition to the glass fiber (hereinafter “B” type), in order to
reinforce the lower friction and anti-wear features as the foremost
feature in the automotive engine seal. Accordingly, this study
compared and reviewed the maximum stress and contact load
generated from the seal steel, rubber and PTFE lip by interpreting
the stress and reaction to the two types of seals based on the
configuration design of seal installed to the rear part in the
automotive engine. This study also produced the two types of seals
in reality to review the wear amount through the coefficient of
friction, torque and durability test. Fig. 1 shows the oil seal which
plays a role of the structure and sealing in the rear part of an
automotive engine.
2. Configuration Design
Both A and B type were designed in a type of thread for the
PTFE lip and the configuration design for their outer diameter and
projection was done with the use of oil seal concept for the rubber.
The height of oil seal was decided depending on the height of lip
for the sealing of shaft and eccentric following characteristics with
the enlarged contact area in the lip as much as possible. Fig. 2
shows the design of PTFE oil seal for the rear part in the
automotive engine.
Fig. 1 Oil Seal Installation and Structure in the Rear Part of an
Automotive Engine
Fig. 2 Design of PTFE Seal for the Rear Part in the Automotive
Engine
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3
3. Interpretations of Stress
Interpretations on the stress and reaction were done for the two
PTFE oil seals with the different additives based on the
configuration design for the rear seals in the automotive engine,
including the non-linear interpretations by using the commercial
program called Marc based on the finite elements method.
3.1 Evaluation of Material Properties
UTM (WL2100) was used to secure material properties of
PTFE for both A and B type. Using specimens produced under
standards in a type of ASTM D6381, the tensile test was done with
the speed of measurement and load cells in 500 mm /min, 300kgf
respectively. Data of material properties used in interpretations are
shown in Fig. 3.
3.2 Boundary and Contact Conditions
Interpretations were done not under the 3-D modeling but under
assumptions of axial symmetry. Glue contact conditions were
assumed between the rubber and steel, between the rubber and
PTFE, and between the steel and PTFE, whereas touching contact
conditions were assumed between the shaft and housing and the
inner seal. In addition, the housing was moved to generate an
intersection of 0.1mm between the outer housing and rubber, and
Fig. 3 Data of Material Properties
Fig. 4 Boundary Conditions
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3
(a) “A” Type Ass’y von-Mises Stress
(b) “B” Type Ass’y von-Mises Stress
(c) “A” Type PTFE Part von-Mises Stress
(d) “B” Type PTFE Part von-Mises Stress
Fig. 5 Analytical Results
JUNE 2011 / 487
the inner shaft was moved to its radius of 36mm to check the
deformation and contact normal force. Fig. 4 shows the boundary
conditions for interpretations.
3.3 Results of Interpretations
As a result of interpretations, the maximum stress was 107.9
MPa and 108.2MPa respectively for A and B type from the steel,
about 13MPa and 16MPa respectively from the end of PTFE, and
about 2.82MPa from the rubber. Although there was no difference
between A and B type from the steel and rubber, the concentration
of stress for the B type was higher in PTFE. Fig. 5 shows results
from interpretations of stress in the steel, rubber and PTFE for both
A and B type.
In terms of the contact normal force as shown in the graph on
Fig. 6, it could be inferred that the sealing ability of “B” Type with
a greater clamping force was superior as the maximum load occurs
respectively at 100.3N and 196N for “A” and “B” Type for the rib
with the maximum contact normal force. In addition, the coefficient
with the radial force for the PTFE seal can be confirmed, which can
be measured through the durability test for the actual test products,
in terms of the applicable values generated from the contact. The
radial force here refers to the force added from a direction with a
segmented tool in response to the axial dimensions of the oil seal,
and the value for the radial force stands for the values calculated by
applying the circular constant to the value measured from the
measuring device composed of load cells.
4. Production of Mold and Test Products
Molds were produced in a structure of one frame with PTFE,
steel and rubber for the seal. Test products of PTFE oil seal for both
A and B type were made with the production of press molds and
compressed molds for PTFE sheet for the transfer rubber mold with
three steps and the drawing blanking and piercing of steel under the
thread process with the setting of thread pitch in the standard size.
Fig. 7 shows the transfer rubber mold with three steps, whereas Fig.
8 presents the test products for the oil seal.
Fig. 6 Results for both A and B Type of the Contact Normal Force
 488 / JUNE 2011 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3

5. Performance Test
5.1 Test to Measure Coefficients of Friction and Torques of
Rotation
The coefficients of friction and torques as important factors in
the anti-wear performance for the mechanical characteristics in the
oil seal were measured. The coefficients of friction were tested
under 23±2℃, 50±%RH in accordance with ASTM D1894
standards, whereas the torques of rotation were tested in a range of
measurements for 60 ~ 120rpm. Table 1 shows the test results for
the coefficients of friction and torques of rotation for both A & B
type, whereas Fig. 9 shows conditions for the jig assembly for the
measurement of torques. As a result of tests, B type with the
relatively high stress and contract stress from interpretations
showed smaller coefficients of friction, while both A and B type
showed similar test values for torques. It was understood that the
overall sealing power in the seal for B type was higher because the
coefficient of friction and the value of torque for B type to judge the
rotary resistance were smaller or similar although the axial
tightening increased.
5.2 Test to Measure Wear Mount and Radial Force
The performance was compared from the durability test for the
PTFE oil seals of both A and B type. The wear amount and radial
force (Kgf) were measured after operations for 240 hours at 140℃
and 7,000rpm under the condition of atmospheric pressure. The
wear amount was measured with a 3-D measuring device for the
thickness of a rib around the internal diameter before and after the
test, and the radial force was calculated by applying the circular
constant to the value measured with load cells for the force added to
a direction of a tool as shown in Fig. 10. Table 2 shows the test
results while Fig. 11 is showing the actual measuring device for the
radial force test and Fig. 12 the testing device for the rotary
durability.

Fig. 7 Triple of Transfer Rubber Mold

Fig. 10 How to Measure the Radial Force for the Oil seal

Fig. 8 Prototype of PTFE Seal

Fig. 11 Radial Force measurement of the test

Fig. 9 Test for Torque Measurements

Table 1 Test Results for Coefficients of Friction and Torque

A Type (PTFE+GLASS) B Type (PTFE+GLASS+MoS2)
CF CSF CKF CSF CSF
0.2256 0.2040 0.2029 0.1849
T 60rpm 120rpm 60rpm 120rpm
0.062 0.113 0.064 0.114 Fig. 12 Oil Revolution measurement of the test
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3 JUNE 2011 / 489

As a result of the durability test, B type showed the higher
radial force with the less wear amount than A type, the same as
those results from interpretations on the PTFE contact stress. Fig.
13 shows the cross-sectional view of the inner diameter PTFE for
both A and B type after the durability test. As shown in the cross-
sectional view, B type shows more excellent anti-wear
characteristics with less wear around the thread section of PTFE.
5.3 Oil Leakage Test for Inverse Assembling
In order to identify the pumping power of oil seal, the oil
leakage test for the inverse assembling was done. The oil leakage
test for the inverse assembling is designed because the amount of
oil leakage cannot be identified on the surface if the oil seal is
assembled to the durability tester in a general type. This test enables
us to have the relative comparison for the pumping power for
products because the oil seal is inversely assembled and then
rotated. The oil leakage test for the inverse assembling is a test
Table 2 Test Results for Radial Force and Wear Amount
A Type (PTFE+GLASS) B Type (PTFE+GLASS+MoS2)
Before Test After Test Before Test After Test
RF
9~10 6~7 12~13 8~9
WF 0.06 0.04
method to measure the amount of engine oil leakage to the outside
by assembling the oil seal inversely to the durability tester as shown
in Fig 14. Accordingly, the pumping power of products can be
relatively compared because the seal is inversely assembled and
then rotated. Conditions for the test are shown in Table 3 and test
results in Table 4.
As a result of tests, specifications with the molybdenum content
showed the higher oil leakage for the inverse assembling with
smaller variations before and after, although both specifications
showed similar results. This can be understood in that the product
with the larger oil leakage for the inverse assembling is
advantageous for the inner oil sealing as it ensures the more
pumping amount of oil to the inside for the actual assembling.
6. Conclusions
This study resulted in the following findings by comparing the
durability as well as by carrying out interpretations on the stress and
the mechanical characteristics tests for two types with the different
additives to the PTFE oil seal that can be applied to the rear sealing
in the automotive engine.

1) As a result of interpretations on the stress in the PTFE oil

seal, B type had the higher concentration of stress. It was also
assumed that the sealing ability of B type was better than that of A
type as its oil seal was higher for the applicable load to the rib
where the maximum contact normal force was generated. This
study could confirm the radial force measurement and coefficients
of correlation in proportion for the PTFE oil seal, which were
measured through the durability test.
(a) Cross-sectional View of A Type 2) As a result of measurements for the coefficients of friction
and torques of rotation by making test products for the two types of
oil seals, it was understood that B type had the longer durability and
higher sealing ability in general as the oil seal of B type was smaller
or similar.

Table 3 Conditions of Oil Leakage Test for Inverse Assembling

Item Condition
Shaft surface roughness Rmax 1.2
(b) Cross-sectional View of B Type Shaft eccentricity 0.2 mm TIR
Test eccentricity 0.2 mm TIR
Fig. 13 Cross-sectional View of both A and B Type Oil type 5W20
Oil temperature 140 ℃
Oil amount Shaft center
Pressure Atmosphere pressure
Shaft revolution speed 7000 rpm
Test time Each revolution speed :1min
Valuation item Measurement data
Shaft diameter Ø35 mm

Table 4 Test Results of Oil leakage for inverse assembling

Test Type Revolution Speed A Type B Type
Oil leakage Before 12.4 13.7
for inverse 7,000
After 10.8 11.3
assembling rpm
Fig. 14 Model for Leaking Test of Oil Seal for Inverse Assembling (g/min) Changes -2.2 -2.1
 490 / JUNE 2011 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Vol. 12, No. 3

3) As a result of measurements for the wear amount and radial

force, the oil sealing ability of B type is thought to have been
advantageous with the higher radial force, the same as those results
from interpretations on the contact stress, although the wear amount
of oil seal for B type was smaller despite a minor difference in
0.02mm.
4) As a result of tests for the rotation in the inverse assembling
to the durability tester to identify the oil leakage for both types of
oil seals, the oil seal of B type was thought to be better for the inner
oil sealing with larger oil leakage for the inverse assembling and
smaller amount of variations.
5) This study could confirm that the PTFE oil seal with the
addition of both glass fiber and molybdenum had better mechanical
characteristics than the PTFE oil seal only with the addition of glass
fiber. For the future study, it is considered necessary to analyze the
mechanical characteristics depending on variations in the
configuration for PTFE in the oil seal.

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