Poetry in everyday life: Invisible heroes with great impact

Seals are ubiquitous. They are the quiet, often invisible heroes of our everyday lives, ensuring that things function as they should. Whether in the home, in the car, or in industrial systems – seals are essential. But when do we actually come into contact with them, where are they hidden, and what would happen if these small, inconspicuous components were suddenly missing? This blog post sheds light on the fascinating world of seals and shows why they are so important and why their seemingly high cost is entirely justified.

Which seals do we come into contact with in everyday life?

The list of seals we come into contact with every day is surprisingly long. Here are a few examples:

• In the household:

  • Faucets and shower heads: Small rubber or plastic rings prevent water from escaping unintentionally.

  • Cisterns: Seals ensure that the water stays in the tank and does not flow uncontrollably into the toilet.

  • Windows and doors: Sealing profiles made of rubber, silicone or TPE keep wind, rain, cold and noise out and ensure a pleasant indoor climate.

  • Refrigerators and freezers: Magnetic seals on the doors ensure they are hermetically sealed, thus contributing to energy efficiency.

  • Food packaging: Seals in lids and closures keep food fresh and prevent leakage.

  • Steam irons and coffee machines: Special seals ensure that steam and water only escape at the designated points.

  • Washing machines and dishwashers: Seals on doors and hoses prevent water damage.

  • Vacuum cleaner: Internal seals ensure optimal suction power.

• In the car:

  • Engine gaskets: A variety of gaskets made from different materials (e.g., rubber, silicone, cork) prevent the leakage of oil, coolant, and other fluids and ensure smooth engine operation. These include cylinder head gaskets, valve stem seals, oil pan gaskets, etc.

  • Door and window seals: Similar to those in the house, these profiles protect against wind, weather and noise.

  • Seals in the fuel system: They ensure that no fuel leaks.

  • Seals in brake and air conditioning systems: Here, absolute tightness is relevant for safety.

• In industry and technology:

  • Pipes and fittings: Seals in flanges, valves and fittings prevent leaks in complex systems.

  • Hydraulics and pneumatics: High-quality seals are crucial for the function of cylinders, pumps and other components.

  • Mechanical engineering: Seals are used wherever moving parts come into contact or liquids and gases need to be controlled.

  • Electronics: Special seals protect sensitive components from dust and moisture.

Where are they all?

As the above list shows, seals are hidden almost everywhere. They can be found in the smallest everyday objects as well as in complex industrial systems. They are often installed so inconspicuously that we hardly notice their existence – as long as they perform their job reliably.

You can find them in:

• household appliances

• Vehicles of all kinds

• Buildings (windows, doors, sanitary facilities)

• Packaging

• Machines and equipment in production

• Medical devices

• Electronic devices

• 
  

In short: Seals are used wherever two or more components are connected and a medium (liquid, gas, dust, etc.) must be prevented from accidentally escaping or entering.

What happens when these seals are no longer there? Why are they so important?

The consequences of a seal failure can be diverse and range from minor inconveniences to serious problems and high costs.

• Leaky faucets or cisterns: Lead to unnecessary water consumption and can, in the long run, cause water damage and mold growth.

• Leaky windows and doors: Cause drafts, heat loss in winter, and heat buildup in summer, which drives up energy costs and reduces living comfort. They also allow noise to penetrate more easily.

• Defective refrigerator seals: Allow warm air to enter, forcing the compressor to run more frequently and increasing energy consumption. Food spoils faster.

• Leaks in the car (oil, coolant): Can lead to engine damage, overheating and, in the worst case, vehicle failure.

• Leaking pipelines in industry: Can lead to the loss of valuable or hazardous materials, cause environmental damage, and endanger employee safety.

• Machine failure due to defective hydraulic or pneumatic seals: Leads to production downtime and high repair costs.

  
  

The importance of seals lies in their ability to reliably seal systems and thus:

• To ensure functionality: Many devices and systems only function with intact seals.

• Save energy: Seals contribute significantly to energy efficiency by preventing heat loss and unnecessary consumption.

• To ensure safety: In safety-critical areas (e.g. braking systems, gas systems), tight connections are vital.

• To avoid environmental damage: Seals prevent the leakage of harmful substances.

• Reduce costs: By preventing damage, energy losses and production downtime, seals contribute to long-term cost reduction.

Why do such small seals usually cost a lot of money and why do we not appreciate this?

The seemingly high cost of small seals is often due to several factors that we as end users rarely consider:

• Material selection: Depending on the application, seals must withstand extreme conditions: high or low temperatures, aggressive chemicals, high pressure, abrasion, or UV radiation. Specialized elastomers such as silicone or TPE with special properties are often more expensive to manufacture than standard plastics or rubber.

• Precise manufacturing: Seals must be manufactured precisely to reliably fulfill their function. Tight tolerances and complex geometries require complex production processes and quality controls.

• Specific requirements: For certain applications (e.g. in the food industry or medical technology), seals must meet special approvals and certifications, which increases the cost of development and production.

• Low quantities: Special seals are often manufactured in relatively small quantities, which increases the cost per unit.

• Development costs: Developing new sealing solutions that meet specific requirements is often complex and costly. These costs are reflected in the price of the final products.

• Quality and durability: High-quality seals have a longer service life and require less frequent replacement. The higher initial costs can be recouped in the long run through lower maintenance and replacement costs.

  
  

We often underestimate the performance of small seals because, ideally, they perform their duties unobtrusively. As long as there's no dripping water, no door rattles, and the car runs smoothly, we don't think about the small but crucial components responsible for them. We usually only realize their importance when they fail and cause problems.

Conclusion: Small parts with a big impact

Seals are far more than just inconspicuous rubber rings or plastic profiles. They are high-tech components that play a crucial role in countless applications in our daily lives. Their ability to reliably seal systems contributes significantly to functionality, efficiency, safety, and environmental protection. The seemingly high costs are often justified by the complex requirements, high-quality materials, and precise manufacturing. It's time to recognize and appreciate the importance of these small but indispensable helpers in our everyday lives.

Discover the diverse world of seals! Visit our product section for silicone profiles , TPE profiles , edge protection , and many other sealing solutions.

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