Being commodity items, U-Cups are readily available in a number of materials and can be found on-the-shelf from multiple distributors and manufacturers in many standard sizes.

Named for the shape of their cross-section, a U-Cup’s design will be pressure energized increasing sealing effectiveness when compared to a standard O-Ring.

This means as pressure increases, the sealing lips are continually forced into the mating hardware surface, ensuring good contact at all times.

The simple and easily moldable design is an effective sealing solution to many systems in both hydraulic and pneumatic applications. Modifications in lip thickness and inclusion of an O-Ring Energizer can tailor sealing loads and wear life to specific situations. Spring Seal and U Cup

A key advantage to an elastomeric U-Cup is the relatively small and simple hardware space needed. Because of their flexible compounds, most U-Cups can be installed in a solid gland configuration.

A basic ID or OD groove is all you need for proper seal retention. Plus, no special tools or considerations need to be taken for correct installation.

U-Cups are available in many of the same compounds as standard O-Rings such as Nitrile, Fluorocarbon, and EPDM, but polyurethanes may be the most common material.

Urethane provides a good combination of elasticity/pliability and toughness. Therefore, it exhibits good sealing characteristics as well as, durability and wear resistance.

These desirable qualities make U-Cups an optimal solution for many sealing systems across multiple industries and they can be found in countless standard products. But Eclipse is approached many times a year with customers pushing the limits of standard U-Cups and in need of better solutions.

The Client's Issue

Eclipse was approached by a leading pneumatic cylinder manufacturing seeking a sealing solution for a unique application.

While U-Cups typically provide optimal sealing performance in pneumatic cylinders, this application presented a difficult challenge.

The air cylinder was to be used as an actuator for a latch on a large industrial oven. While pressures, speeds, and cycle times were nothing out of the ordinary, the temperature at which it had to operate at was — a continuous 500°F.

Operating Conditions:

  • Pressure: 90 PSI
  • Media: Air
  • Stroke: 3”
  • Cycle Frequency: 2-4 cycles/day
  • Cylinder Rod Ø: 0.500”
  • Operating Temperature: 500°F

The most common Urethane U-Cup seals have a maximum temperature rating of only 220°F, these weren’t a viable choice. Their best option was a Fluorocarbon U-Cup, which are typically rated up to 400°F.

Fluorocarbon can withstand temperatures up to 440°F, but for only short periods of time.

Despite not meeting the temperature requirements of 500°F, the customer gave these a try. Not surprisingly, the seals failed quickly.

The real challenge was the fact the oven operated at a continuous 500°F for long periods of time. Even if the properties of the Fluorocarbon could remain intact enough to provide an acceptable level of sealing, the longevity of the seal would be severely compromised.

Like most rubber compounds, Fluorocarbon would be subject to “heat aging”, where high temperatures accelerate the degradation process that normally occurs over years of service.

At this extreme temperature, the effect would be prompt. The customer quickly concluded a standard sealing solution wasn’t going to work and turned to Eclipse.

The Challenge

Eclipse knew that 500°F called for a PTFE-based seal material.

Depending on fillers, PTFE can successfully operate at temperatures as high as 575°F. The long-term exposure to high heat would also not be a problem for PTFE.

Unlike rubber or elastomeric compounds, PTFE will not degrade over time and can be considered to have indefinite shelf-life.

With the temperature ruling out the use of O-Ring energizers, Eclipse’s Spring Energized Seals would need to be part of the solution.

For optimal point loading in a reciprocating application, Eclipse chose a stainless steel Cantilever V-Spring for the energizer and ET006: Carbon-filled PTFE as the seal jacket material. The carbon filler provides excellent heat and wear resistance, while still being commonly available.

Eclipse designs and manufactures thousands of Spring Energized Seals every year — many of them successfully operating in conditions far more difficult then the parameters presented here.

The challenge for this application was the packaging and installation requirements mandated by the customer. The simple solid groove housing, in which a standard U-Cup installs without trouble, wouldn’t work for a PTFE Spring Energized Seal.

For rod configurations, installation into a solid gland requires the seal to be “kidney beaned”, or folded in on itself to be put into the groove.

For an elastomeric U-Cup this installation is no problem as it can be bent and distorted and still spring back into its original shape once in the groove. But for piston configurations, the seal needs to be significantly stretched for installation into the groove.

This installation requirement is typically not a problem for rubber or urethane compounds. But the combination of PTFE’s inelastic nature and the fact that a cantilever spring can’t be severely distorted without damage or yielding. This means installation of PTFE Spring Energized Seals into solid glands is normally not an option.

At very large diameters, with comparable small seal cross-sections, installation might have been achievable. But at diameters less than an inch, such as was the case with our client, installation would be basically impossible without damaging the seal.

Eclipse needed to propose an acceptable alternative.

The Eclipse Solution

Most Spring Energized Seals at smaller diameters are installed in split or two-piece grooves.

This configuration is an open groove with a secondary retention piece. For example, the seal can be contained by a separate bolted on cover-plate or threaded packing nut.

The two-piece design facilitates easy installation and replacement for spring energized seals. However, the client didn’t want to significantly change the current hardware design for the cylinder.

Eclipse had to work within the current hardware envelop of a standard air cylinder, and present a design that allowed for easy installation of the Spring Energized Seal without adding any components.

We decided this would be the perfect project for a stepped gland configuration. A stepped gland is an open groove with a small barb or step at the front which retains the seal. And a specific seal lip type ensures the seal gets locked into place once pushed over the step. In this case, a step of only 0.010 to 0.015” was all that was needed for seal retention.

The seal needs to be only minimally compressed or stretched (depending on rod or piston configuration) for a simple “push in” installation.

Push-In Installation

Most customers are surprised the such a small feature can retain the seal fully.

In most cases though, once installed, the seal is so well locked in place that special tools or physically damaging the seal will be required to remove it.

Stepped glands are successfully employed at a variety of diameters in the most challenging reciprocating applications.

How It Performed

Eclipse’s PTFE Spring Energized Seal ensured the air cylinder performed flawlessly at the 500°F temperature. Eclipse’s ET006: Carbon-filled PTFE seal jacket provides excellent wear resistance and extended seal life even in the long-term high temperature environment.

The improved low-friction characteristics of PTFE also added to the smooth and consistent cylinder operation unlike an elastomeric compound.

The use of a stepped gland allowed the use of the spring energized seal without significant modification to the customer’s hardware and no additional components. Eclipse successfully designed and manufactured a sealing solution that exceeded the customer’s requirements.

Eclipse has successfully converted many U-Cup seals configurations to use PTFE Spring Energized Seals in a diverse number of industries and applications.

Whether due to extreme temperature, chemical attack, severely abrasive media, or better friction control, if you have a standard U-Cup that is failing in your application, then Eclipse can help.


This original case study was seen on Eclipse Seal's website.

For more information on how Gallagher Fluid Seals's engineers can help you with a custom solution, call us at 800.822.4063