Spring Energised Seals

Consisting of a polymer jacket containing a metal spring, Spring Energised Seals (SES) combine the resilience of high-performance polymers with a spring element for reliable sealing in extreme pressures, temperatures, and demanding applications.

Meet Extreme Sealing Challenges with Confidence with our Robust Spring-Energised Seals

The spring-energised seal is composed of a polymer jacket containing a metal, energising spring.

With the ability to compensate for system changes brought about by extreme temperature, varying pressures and aggressive fluid media, spring energised seals are the perfect solution in places where conventional seals may fail or where there would be regulatory or environmental consequences to contamination or leakage.

Our Range

Chesterton Customseal’s Spring Energised Sealing Technology

Suited to a broad range of rotary, reciprocating, oscillating, and stationary fluid power and material process equipment/systems, our range of spring energised seals are custom made to order and requires no equipment modifications.

Series 100: Cantilever

A V-shaped spring with a linear load curve and wide deflection range, making it a versatile model for highly dynamic reciprocating and rotary applications

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Series 200 Elliptical Coil

Features a canted coil spring that applies low load with minimal deflection, ideal for rotary, reciprocating or static applications needing tolerance compensation or miniature seals.

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Series 300 Helical Wound

Features flat ribbon coil spring with high load versus deflection range for extremely tight sealing, ideal for cryogenic or vacuum applications

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Series 500 Stacked Set

Stacked V-Rings set with unidirectional design, designed to accommodate hardware with deep stuffing boxes.

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Series 600: Continuous Profile

Features a U-shaped, heavy-duty, high-load spring, suited to static and slow oscillating motion especially under cryogenic and vacuum conditions

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Spring-Energised Seal Advantages

Extended Service Life

Providing longer service compared to conventional (non-energised) polymer or elastomeric seals

Consistent Sealing Performance

The energiser compensates for wear and angular misalignments across a wide deflection range to maintain constant and even force along the seal lip.

Reduced Maintenance and Downtime

By sustaining sealing pressure and inhibiting leaks, these seals extend maintenance intervals and increase equipment uptime.

Enhanced Material Durability

Made from wear-resistant materials, the seal jackets can be filled with additives such as carbon, graphite and glass to suit the requirements of the application.

Spring-Energised Seal Components

Seal Jacket Materials

Chesterton seal jackets can be made from a range of polymers, depending on the requirements of the application.

Polymeric material options include:

Polytetrafluoro- ethylene (PTFE)
Modified Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (TFM)
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE)
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)

To suit the needs of specific applications, these can be filled with additives such as carbon, graphite, glass, molybdenum, and other materials.

Spring Materials

Chesterton seal springs are fabricated using high-performance, corrosion-resistant metals and alloys based on the application temperatures and chemical requirements.

Stainless steel is typical for fluids up to 127°C (260°F) and corrosive applications at lower temperatures. Eligiloy®, Hastelloy®, and nickel alloy materials are used for cryogenic and high-temperature, corrosive fluid environments.

Understanding Spring-Energised Seals

How does a Spring-Energised Seal Work?

Spring-Energised Seals rely on radial compression and precise interference within the housing to achieve retention and sealing. The static lip is compressed into the housing bore while the dynamic lip stretches over the piston, activating the energising spring.

This spring load forces the lips against the gland walls, creating a resilient, leak-tight barrier that does not depend on system pressure for effective sealing.

As pressure increases, it further energises the jacket, boosting seal force and ensuring excellent performance across both low- and high-pressure conditions. Seal efficiency can be optimised by adjusting the jacket geometry, material choice, and spring force, enabling reliable sealing even under wear or misalignment.

Choosing Between Polymeric and Spring-Energised Seals

Elastomeric seals play a key role in both dynamic and static sealing applications but even high-grade polymers can fail over time. In environments with extreme temperatures, fluctuating pressures and chemical exposure, Spring-Energised Seals deliver a proven, durable solution for reliable long-term performance. Some considerations when determining whether to use standard polymeric seals or spring-energised seals include:

Temperature (operating and ambient possible maximum/minimum)
Operating pressure (what is not necessarily the maximum pressure in the system)
Velocity (moving speed)
Media (chemical compatibility: especially important in case of aggressive media)
Friction level and wear
Environment (for example, abrasive conditions)
Application and operation of the equipment
Seal cavity configuration
Shelf-life limitation

Crucial Applications of Spring-Energised Seals

Sample Equipment	SES Benefits
Engineered valves operating in a temperature range of -45 – 177°C (-50 – 350°F), pressures up to 1,035 bar g (15,000 psi) while controlling a wide spectrum of fluids.	Wide temperature operating range Chemical inertness Low friction
Cryogenic valves control LNG, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and helium at temperatures of -180°C (-292°F).	Low-temperature operation RGD resistance Low friction
Automotive paint pumps, adhesive pumps, and paint dispensers	Abrasion resistance Chemical resistance Elimination of contaminants
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) plungers generating 345 bar g (5,000 psi) and beyond; over thousands of cycles in the presence of highly aggressive solvents.	Long service life Reduces leaks Chemical inertness
Food, dairy, and beverage applications such as homogenisers, mixers, and dispensing equipment require low friction and chemical sterilisation to meet cleanliness requirements and improve food safety.	Wide temperature operating range Chemical inertness Low friction without lubricants Minimal risk of contamination

Our Sealing Technology: Applications and Benefits

Product	Benefits
	Series 100: Cantilever Spring Design for Highly Dynamic Applications These custom seals are primarily used in highly dynamic rotary and reciprocating equipment applications because the spring design allows for high deflection with minimal loading. This is the most popular series for spring-energised seal designs due to unique attributes which help to maximise seal and hardware life. Highly dynamic applications for plant-wide usage Unidirectional designs, available as rod, piston, flange, or static seals Single point profile yields high sealability while minimizing the frictional force All seals made to order, no equipment modifications required Custom designs and materials available upon request
	Series 200: Elliptical Coil Design Accommodates Excessive Tolerances or Misalignment Elliptical coil spring-energised seals are commonly used in rotary, reciprocating, and static applications where hardware tolerances are relatively large or a miniature seal is required. Elliptical coil spring designs allow for minimal deflection while applying intermediate loads. Designed to accommodate equipment with large tolerances; plant-wide usage Unidirectional design; accommodates excessive tolerances or misalignment All seals made to order; no equipment modifications required Miniature profiles; accommodates small equipment Available as internal, external, or pressure face seals
	Series 300: Helical Wound Design for Slow Speed/Static Applications This custom seal has excellent loading capabilities with minimal deflection, making it ideal for use in static applications, slow speeds, extremely low temperatures, and/or infrequent dynamic conditions when friction and wear are secondary concerns. Unidirectional design for slow speed and static applications Helical wound spring design with high-load minimal deflection Concentrated load design when friction and wear are secondary concerns All seals made to order; no equipment modifications required Custom designs and materials available upon request
	Series 500: Stacked Set, High-Performance, Multi-Purpose V-Rings These stacked V-Rings sets are specifically designed to accommodate hardware with deep stuffing boxes. They are used in both rotary and reciprocating applications and are available in solid and split designs, depending upon your application requirements. Unidirectional design accommodates hardware with deep stuffing boxes Multi-purpose stacked sets available in solid and split designs All seals made to order; no equipment modifications required Custom designs and materials available upon request
	Series 600: Continuous Profile Consists of a U-shaped, heavy-duty, high-load spring that is best for challenging static sealing conditions. Good for static and slow oscillating motion, particularly under cryogenic and vacuum conditions or where gas leakage is a particular issue.

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Spring Energised Seals Complete Brochure Profile Chart and Materials

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