Rotary shaft seal types
Bearing isolators: non-contacting labyrinth seals
A bearing isolator is a rotor and stator that exclude dirt and retain lubricant by path length: nothing touches the shaft, so nothing wears it. Send the part number or drawing and we quote it.
- Family
- Non-contacting and unitized seals
- Designation
- bearing isolator
- Lips
- 0
- Dust lip
- No
- Garter spring
- No
- Outside diameter
- Metal
- Case
- rotor and stator
Non-contacting and unitized seals
A seal that excludes by path length rather than by rubbing. Nothing touches the shaft, so nothing wears it and nothing adds torque, and there is no rubbing speed limit.
When to use it
Long bearing life where a rubbing lip would wear out or cost too much torque. Nothing touches the shaft. It excludes and retains by path length instead, so it cannot groove a shaft, adds virtually no torque, and is not speed-limited the way a contact seal is.
When another type fits better
- TC: Sealing lip and dust lip, rubber-covered outside diameter, when the duty needs a positive seal at rest as well as running.
Watch for
A non-contacting seal is not a positive seal. It is chosen for life and low torque, not for holding a static head.
Sources: Parker® Rotary Seal Design Guide, Catalog EPS 5350/USA, read 2026-09-17.
Parker is a trademark of Parker Intangibles LLC. The maker designations on this page are the makers' own. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Related pages
Orders are handled under Conquest Seal's AS9100D quality management system, whose certificate scope includes distribution.
Send the shaft, bore and width, or the old seal's markings
The three dimensions or the code printed on the old seal, the speed, any pressure, the fluid and the quantity. A Conquest representative replies with the quote.
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