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SC Oil Seal Size and Selection Guide

Author: Cheryl

Nov. 04, 2026

SC Oil Seal Size and Selection Guide

To identify an SC oil seal size, provide three dimensions in this order: shaft diameter, housing bore diameter, and seal width. For example, 25 × 40 × 7 mm describes a seal intended for a 25 mm shaft, a 40 mm housing bore, and a 7 mm installation width; this is an illustrative size, not a recommendation for every application. Then confirm the seal profile, elastomer compatibility, operating conditions, and installation requirements before ordering. At TEBIETE, we recommend checking the equipment drawing or measuring the installed seal and shaft rather than selecting by appearance alone.

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Key Takeaways

  • Read SC seal dimensions as shaft diameter × housing bore diameter × width, using the unit specified in the drawing or product listing.
  • SC commonly describes a single-lip oil seal with a spring-energized sealing lip and a rubber-covered outer diameter, but naming conventions can vary by supplier.
  • Match the material and lip design to the fluid, temperature, shaft condition, speed, and pressure in your application.
  • Share the complete operating and dimensional details with your supplier to reduce the risk of ordering an incompatible seal.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for engineers, maintenance teams, distributors, and purchasing professionals sourcing SC oil seals for machinery or replacement work. It is useful when you have a worn seal, an equipment drawing, or a part number that needs verification. It can also help when comparing quotations that describe similar seals but do not show the same construction details. If the application is safety-critical or runs outside standard service conditions, confirm the design with a qualified engineer and seal supplier.

What Is an SC Oil Seal?

An SC oil seal is a radial shaft seal used to retain lubricant around a rotating or reciprocating shaft and help limit the entry of contaminants. In common industry usage, “S” often indicates a single sealing lip, while “C” commonly indicates a rubber-covered outside diameter. Many SC designs include a garter spring that maintains contact between the sealing lip and shaft, although product codes and construction details may differ among manufacturers.

Core Functions and Applications

The primary function is to manage leakage at the point where a shaft passes through a housing. SC oil seals are used in equipment such as gearboxes, pumps, motors, agricultural machinery, and general industrial drives, subject to the seal’s design and operating limits. A seal does not compensate for a badly worn shaft, an out-of-round bore, or incorrect installation. Those conditions may cause leakage or early wear even when the nominal seal dimensions are correct.

How to Read SC Oil Seal Dimensions

Most standard radial oil seal listings present the main dimensions as shaft diameter × housing bore diameter × width. The first dimension corresponds to the shaft the sealing lip contacts, the second to the housing opening, and the third to the space available along the shaft axis. Always check the supplier’s stated order and unit, particularly when drawings, catalogues, or purchase systems use different conventions.

Dimension What it describes What to verify
Shaft diameter The nominal diameter at the seal contact area Measure the shaft’s sealing track, not an unrelated shoulder
Housing bore diameter The nominal diameter of the seal seat Check bore condition, roundness, and any specified fit
Seal width The axial space occupied by the seal Confirm the available installation depth and shoulder clearance

Use a suitable measuring tool and record dimensions in millimeters or inches as shown on the equipment documentation. If the old seal is distorted, corroded, or damaged, its measured dimensions may not represent the original specification accurately. Look for a part number, equipment manual, or drawing to cross-check your measurements. Do not assume that a visually similar seal will fit or perform correctly.

Types, Materials, and Specification Options

SC seals are commonly selected with elastomer materials suited to the fluid and temperature conditions, but material availability and naming can vary by supplier. NBR is widely used in general oil-sealing applications, while FKM may be considered where the fluid or temperature requirements call for a different elastomer. These are starting points rather than universal recommendations; confirm compatibility against the actual lubricant, additives, exposure, and operating conditions.

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Construction Details to Confirm

Besides the SC profile, specify whether the application needs a standard lip or an additional dust lip, and whether the seal should have a particular spring or case construction. A dust lip can help limit contaminant entry, but it is not a substitute for application-specific contamination control. Also confirm the seal’s orientation, since the main lip is generally installed to face the fluid being retained. Follow the equipment or seal manufacturer’s installation instructions where available.

SC Oil Seal Selection Framework

  1. Confirm the three dimensions. Record shaft diameter, housing bore diameter, and width from the drawing or careful measurements.
  2. Identify the fluid. Provide the lubricant or process fluid name and any relevant additives, cleaning agents, or intermittent exposures.
  3. Describe operating conditions. Share temperature, shaft speed, pressure if present, duty cycle, and whether the shaft rotates continuously or intermittently.
  4. Assess the shaft and housing. Report the shaft surface condition, any wear groove, housing material, and signs of misalignment or runout.
  5. Confirm profile and material. Verify SC construction, lip arrangement, elastomer, and any required drawing or part-number match.
  6. Review installation constraints. Check available depth, assembly direction, tooling, and whether the seal will be exposed to dirt or moisture.

These details help a supplier assess whether a standard SC seal is appropriate or whether another profile or material should be considered. When the operating data is incomplete, identify what is known and what remains uncertain rather than assuming standard conditions. For example, a low-pressure gearbox and a pressurized pump may need different evaluation even if their shaft and housing dimensions match. The application, not just the size, determines whether the selection is suitable.

Common Selection Mistakes

  • Reversing the dimensions: A size written in the wrong order can lead to an incorrect seal. Label each measurement instead of sending three numbers without explanation.
  • Choosing by the old seal alone: A previous seal may be damaged, incorrectly installed, or already an unsuitable replacement. Cross-check with equipment documentation where possible.
  • Ignoring material compatibility: A seal that fits mechanically may still be unsuitable for the fluid or thermal environment. Share the lubricant and operating range with the supplier.
  • Overlooking shaft condition: A groove, rough surface, or corrosion at the contact track can affect sealing. Inspect the shaft before installing a new seal.
  • Leaving out application data: A quote based only on dimensions may not address speed, pressure, contamination, or special requirements. Include these details during the enquiry.

Pricing, MOQ, and Lead-Time Factors

Pricing and availability depend on factors such as dimensions, material, construction, order quantity, packaging, and whether the requirement is for a standard or customized specification. Minimum order quantities and lead times are supplier- and product-specific, so they should be confirmed for the requested part rather than assumed from a general catalogue. For a more useful quotation, provide the target quantity, delivery destination, required date, and any inspection or documentation needs. If you are replacing an existing seal, include a clear photo and part number as supporting information, not as a substitute for dimensions.

Supplier Evaluation Checklist

Before placing an order, check that the quotation states the complete size, profile, material, and agreed construction details. Ask how the supplier handles drawing review, specification confirmation, packaging, and identification of supplied products. If traceability or inspection records are required, state those requirements before order confirmation and verify what documentation is available. A clear written specification helps both buyer and supplier reduce avoidable misunderstandings.

How TEBIETE Can Support Your Selection

TEBIETE supplies oil seals and supports B2B buyers with specification review based on the information provided. To assess an SC oil seal requirement, we can review the three principal dimensions alongside the material, fluid, temperature, speed, pressure, quantity, and delivery needs. Where available, send a drawing, equipment model, existing part number, or photographs of the seal and installation. We will use those details to clarify the requested specification and discuss suitable supply options; final suitability should be confirmed against the application requirements.

Conclusion: What to Send with Your Enquiry

The right SC oil seal is selected by matching its dimensions and construction to both the shaft-and-housing fit and the operating environment. Start with shaft diameter, housing bore diameter, and width, then confirm profile, material, fluid compatibility, speed, temperature, pressure, and installation conditions. If any measurement or operating detail is uncertain, flag it clearly so it can be reviewed before ordering. Send TEBIETE your specification, quantity, and target delivery date to begin a practical B2B selection and quotation discussion.

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