Which Silicon Carbide grade is right for your mechanical seal faces?

When the performance of mechanical seals is measured in terms of uptime, efficiency and asset protection, the choice of material becomes a strategic consideration. At Vulcan Seals, we offer five grades of engineered Silicon Carbide (SiC), each of which is optimised for specific lubrication conditions, chemical exposure and thermal demands. This allows you to specify with confidence and standardise reliability across your fleet.

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Silicon Carbide is valued for its high hardness, thermal conductivity and chemical and thermal stability, making it the preferred seal face material in challenging operating conditions.

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Our 5 Silicon Carbide grades at a glance

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• ‍VSG1 - Sintered Silicon Carbide with Graphite: sintered SiC with graphite, which enhances tribological performance to improve running efficiency and extend seal life in poorly lubricating, volatile/low-boiling-point fluids. ‍
• VSG2 - Porous Sintered Silicon Carbide with Graphite: Porous sintered SiC with graphite. Combines advanced tribology with fluid-trapping capability. Ideal for challenging applications such as hot pressurised water and heating and boiler feed.‍
• VSP1 - Porous Sintered Silicon Carbide: Porous sintered SiC. Engineered surface porosity helps trap a lubricating film and supports 'emergency running' behaviour where lubrication can be compromised. ‍
• VSS1 - Sintered Silicon Carbide: pure SiC (no additives), delivering the best chemical resistance in our range and specified for high-end performance and durability requirements. ‍
• VSR1 – Reaction Bonded SiC: an industrial standard grade with a very fine surface finish, strong wear resistance and outstanding thermal shock resistance, suited to a wide range of sealing duties.

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Why choose Vulcan Seals?

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With over 40 years of expertise, ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing and the ability to supply from stock or according to your specific requirements, Vulcan Seals helps engineering teams reduce the risk of selecting materials and speed up procurement without compromising performance.