What are shields and seals, and which one is better?
Shields and seals are in place to keep contamination out of the bearing. In order of effectiveness, the enclosures that are offered are as follows: metal shields, rubber non-contact seals, teflon non-contact seals, and rubber contact seals. As the sealing performance is increased, the torque to turn the bearing will also increase. It is important to know the application’s condition and life requirements so the best shield or seal choice can be made. Specific information about the description of each seal and the pros and cons can be found in the Shields and Seals section in the catalog, or under Bearing Components in our Bearing Engineering Section.
