The new PTFE based, spring-energised Turcon Variseal SA from Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is suitable for high frequency positioning applications in the aerospace sector. Its proprietary PTFE jacket (Turcon) is capable of operating in extremes of temperature and is resistant to aggressive aerospace fluids such as synthetic hydrocarbon, petroleum base, phosphate ester and all types of aviation jet fuels. It has a very low coefficient of friction, which ensures optimum seal load for the high frequency cycling duties commonly encountered in primary flight control applications.
When installed into a solid gland, most seals need to be compressed substantially and the spring energiser within tends to flare its jacket outwards. This makes installation very difficult without a split gland, especially in smaller diameter housings. Turcon Variseal SA, on the other hand, is specially designed for closed glands. Its ‘Slantcoil’ spring is not susceptible to compression set and can accommodate more deformation than other springs during installation. According to Trelleborg, this new seal can be fitted into the smallest diameter Mil-G-5514F glands, directly replacing slipper seals or O-rings in standard grooves, and improving the performance of existing housings.