5 Common Problems with Pneumatic Cylinder Seals & How to Fix Them (2025)

5 Common Problems with Pneumatic Cylinder Seals & How to Fix Them (2025)

Seal failure leads to leaks, downtime, and inefficiency—yet most are preventable.
Here are five common pneumatic seal issues and how to fix them with the right materials, techniques, and upgrades.

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From material selection to maintenance tips, this guide helps you extend seal life and boost system performance.

Why Do Pneumatic Cylinder Seals Fail So Often?

Improper use or material mismatch is the root of most failures.

Worn seals, wrong sizing, or incorrect installation can lead to major pressure loss and poor efficiency. Understanding how seals degrade helps prevent downtime.

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For an overview of pneumatic seal types and their roles, read the full pneumatic cylinder seals guide.

How Do You Fix Air Leakage Around the Rod or Piston?

Air leakage is the most common issue in pneumatic systems.

Cause:

  • Guarnizioni del pistone o dello stelo usurate
  • Installazione non corretta
  • Using incompatible materials

Fixes:

  • Replace seals with TPU or NBR rod seals
  • Follow OEM install specs
  • Use FKM or PTFE in high-temp/chemical systems

Why Do Seals Wear Out Prematurely?

Seals should last for thousands of cycles—when they don’t, something's wrong.

Cause:

  • Dry operation or no lubrication
  • Dust, dirt, or water contamination
  • Incorrect sizing

Fixes:

For common size options, review our seal measurement guide.

What Causes Excessive Friction or Seal Hardening?

Too much friction increases energy use and shortens seal life.

Cause:

  • Guarnizioni troppo strette
  • Seal material not matched to environment
  • Running dry without lubricant

Fixes:

How Do You Fix Pressure Loss and Low Efficiency?

Loss of air pressure lowers cylinder response speed and accuracy.

Cause:

  • Seal micro-leakage
  • Bore wear
  • Improper seal profile

Fixes:

  • Upgrade to FKM or TPU materials
  • Inspect bore and rod condition
  • Use double-acting piston seals like Z8 or COP

For seal material behavior, check the pneumatic seal material guide.

What Causes Seal Swelling or Shrinking?

Temperature and chemical exposure can physically deform seals.

Cause:

  • Non-compatible material
  • Chemical swelling
  • Thermal expansion

Fixes:

  • Choose FKM or PTFE for high-temp/chemical resistance
  • Avoid NBR in solvent-heavy systems
  • Replace aged or brittle seals immediately

Where to Buy Reliable Pneumatic Seals?

Offriamo:

  • Piston, rod, buffer & dust seals
  • Materiali: NBR, TPU, FKM, PTFE
  • OEM specs and custom options

📩 E-mail: [email protected]
📞 WhatsApp: +86 17622979498

Conclusione

Solve air leaks, wear, and pressure loss by choosing the right pneumatic seals and maintaining them properly.

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Le persone chiedono anche

1. Quali sono le cause del guasto della guarnizione del cilindro pneumatico?
Wear, improper installation, contamination, and wrong materials.
2. How do I stop air leaks in pneumatic cylinders?
Use quality rod and piston seals, and apply proper lubrication.
3. What material lasts longest for pneumatic seals?
TPU for durability, PTFE for low friction, FKM for chemicals.
4. How often should seals be replaced?
Every 6–12 months depending on usage.
5. Can I use hydraulic seals in pneumatic systems?
No—pneumatic seals are made for air pressure, not fluids.
6. How should I lubricate pneumatic seals?
Use synthetic, seal-safe lubricants regularly.
7. What causes swelling in seals?
Chemical incompatibility and thermal changes.
8. Do you offer OEM and custom-size seals?
Yes, contact us for tailored pneumatic sealing solutions.

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