V Ring Seals

V-Ring Seals for Australian Industrial Sealing Applications

V-ring seals (also called axial seals or V-rings) are flexible elastomer seals that fit onto a rotating shaft and seal axially against a counterface — the seal lip rotates with the shaft and rubs against a stationary surface, providing protection against contamination ingress. Different from radial shaft seals (which fit in a housing bore), V-rings provide a complementary axial seal that excels at preventing dirt, dust, and water ingress in harsh environments. For Australian industrial maintenance and equipment manufacturing, V-rings are an important sealing complement. AIMS Industrial supplies V-ring seals from quality bearing brands.

The V-ring types we stock

• VA type — standard axial-conical lip; the everyday V-ring for general industrial sealing
• VS type — heavier-duty axial-conical lip with stiffer body; for high-speed and demanding applications
• VL type — long-lip design for extended protection in dirty environments
• VE type — wide-lip design for higher-pressure axial sealing

How V-rings work

The V-ring fits onto the shaft via its elastomer body — the body's elasticity provides the radial fit on the shaft. The seal's lip extends axially and contacts a stationary surface (typically a metal plate or another sealed component). As the shaft rotates, the lip rotates with it, sliding against the stationary counterface. The combination of the radial fit on the shaft and the axial lip seal provides protection against fluid leakage out and contamination in.

Where V-rings earn their place

• Bearing protection — fitted alongside bearings to prevent contamination ingress (commonly used with self-aligning and spherical roller bearings in dirty environments)
• Conveyor pulleys and rollers — sealing rotating components in dusty or wet environments
• Mining and resources equipment — protection for equipment in abrasive conditions
• Agricultural machinery — sealing rotating components against soil and debris
• Electric motor shafts — secondary seal protection on motor output shafts
• Pump shafts — auxiliary protection on pump rotating components

Materials

• Nitrile (NBR) — the everyday material; oil and hydrocarbon service up to about 100°C
• Viton (FKM) — fluoroelastomer for higher temperatures (up to 200°C) and aggressive fluids
• Silicone — for high-temperature dry running and food-grade applications

Sizing — by shaft diameter

V-rings are sized primarily by shaft diameter. Common sizes range from 5mm through 200mm shaft diameter, with each size having specific outside diameter, lip extension, and overall width specifications. Match the V-ring to the shaft diameter — V-rings stretch to fit a range of shaft sizes around their nominal, but excessive stretching reduces sealing effectiveness.

Counterface requirements

V-ring sealing depends on the stationary counterface against which the lip seals. The counterface should be:

• Smooth — surface roughness Ra 0.4-1.6 µm typical
• Hard — minimum 30 HRC to resist lip wear
• Square — perpendicular to the shaft axis (out-of-square causes uneven lip wear)
• Clean — free of pitting, scoring, or contamination

Installation

V-rings install easily — slide onto the shaft with the lip facing the desired sealing direction, and the elastomer body grips the shaft. No press tool required. Verify the lip is in correct contact with the counterface before operation; the lip should bear lightly against the counterface, not be heavily compressed (which causes excessive heat generation) or backed off (which provides no sealing).

Brands stocked at AIMS

V-ring seals are stocked from quality bearing seal manufacturers including the seal lines associated with our bearing brands (NSK, NTN, Koyo) and dedicated seal specialists. For specific OEM-pattern V-rings or specialty applications, sourcing through our distribution channels covers most options.

Companion ranges at AIMS

V-ring seals sit alongside our broader sealing range — see shaft seals (oil seals), spherical roller bearings, self aligning bearings, and power transmission seals for the related products.

Need help speccing V-ring seals for bearing protection or specific applications? contact our team — we'll match by shaft diameter, type, and material.