In today’s industrial landscape, equipment reliability and operational efficiency are everything. Whether you’re installing a mechanical seal on a pump, replacing aging components with standard mechanical seals, or searching for mechanical seals near me to minimize downtime, two seal types consistently stand out: the 108U and 112 series. These seals are renowned for their versatility, durability, and compatibility with a wide range of applications — from food processing to wastewater treatment.
This article dives into the top five industries that rely heavily on 108U and 112 mechanical seals, explaining why these seals are the go-to choice and what specific advantages they bring to each sector. Know more..
What Are 108U and 112 Mechanical Seals?
The 108U and 112 series are categorized as standard mechanical seals — versatile, balanced (in some variants), and capable of handling aggressive media, misalignment, and variable operating conditions. These seals are typically installed as a mechanical seal on a pump, agitator, or compressor, offering low leakage rates and high durability.
- 108U: Features a unitized, single-spring design suitable for general-purpose pumps.
- 112: Known for its compact form, multiple spring configuration, and ability to handle pressure fluctuations.
Their compatibility with ANSI, DIN, and ISO standards also makes them some of the most requested items when customers search for mechanical seals near me.
Industry #1: Water and Wastewater Treatment
Why They Use It:
- Seals are exposed to abrasive sludge, variable pressure, and chemical additives.
- Require long service life with minimal maintenance.
Seal Benefits:
- 108U is ideal for submersible pumps and centrifugal systems dealing with treated and raw water.
- 112 seals work well with digester and sludge pumps that face high solid content.
These operations often use standard mechanical seals for fast replacements — and locating mechanical seals near me is crucial for municipalities needing quick service.
Real-World Example:
A municipal wastewater plant in Ohio reduced unplanned downtime by 28% after switching from cartridge seals to 108U models for their centrifugal pump fleet.
Industry #2: Food and Beverage Processing
Why They Use It:
- Need for hygienic sealing in systems processing dairy, sugar, beverages, and more.
- Frequent washdowns with hot water and caustics require durable, corrosion-resistant seals.
Seal Benefits:
- 108U mechanical seals handle CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems and lightweight suspensions.
- 112 seals withstand rapid thermal cycling — critical in breweries and bottling lines.
When food processors look for mechanical seals near me, they’re often in urgent need to prevent product contamination or process halts.
Sanitary Seal Features:
- FDA-compliant elastomers
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Smooth surface finishes to reduce bacterial adhesion
Application Highlight:
In a large dairy facility in Wisconsin, the switch to standard mechanical seals in their homogenizer pumps resulted in extended seal life and cleaner CIP cycles.
Industry #3: Chemical Processing
Why They Use It:
- Pumps handle acids, solvents, corrosives, and aggressive blends.
- Seal material compatibility is non-negotiable.
Seal Benefits:
- 108U seals offer interchangeable faces (carbon, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide).
- 112 models provide dynamic face loading and strong secondary seals to handle chemical attacks.
These facilities rely heavily on local vendors for fast replacements, making “mechanical seals near me” a critical part of their supply chain strategy.
Use Case:
A specialty chemical producer upgraded their 112 seals to versions with FFKM elastomers, extending MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) in their solvent transfer pumps by 42%.
Industry #4: Oil and Gas
Why They Use It:
- Handles high pressure, high temperature, and abrasive media.
- Requires zero tolerance for leakage or seal failure.
Seal Benefits:
- 112 seals manage radial shaft movements and pressure surges common in booster stations.
- 108U seals, when balanced, can work with crude oil, condensate, and slurries.
These environments demand rugged standard mechanical seals, and field operators frequently need to find mechanical seals near me for urgent replacements during rig or refinery maintenance windows.
Field Example:
At an upstream drilling site in Texas, 108U seals on mud pumps delivered three times the service life of OEM-supplied seals under high solids load.
Industry #5: HVAC and Building Services
Why They Use It:
- HVAC systems rely on pumps to circulate water or refrigerants.
- Building services require minimal maintenance and leak-free performance.
Seal Benefits:
- 108U models offer cost-effective sealing for standard water pumps.
- 112 seals are great for booster and recirculation pumps in heating/cooling loops.
Facility engineers looking for quick fixes often search for mechanical seals near me, especially during winter heating failures or cooling tower shutdowns.
HVAC Project Insight:
A major hotel in New York retrofitted its chiller pumps with 112 series seals, reducing energy loss and eliminating leak-related shutdowns.
Comparing 108U vs. 112 in These Industries
| Feature | 108U Seal | 112 Seal |
| Spring Type | Single Spring | Multi-spring |
| Typical Use | General purpose, clean media | High-load, dirty/volatile media |
| Pressure Handling | Moderate | High |
| Temperature Tolerance | Medium | High |
| Ideal for | Submersible, HVAC, sanitary pumps | Oil & gas, chemical, process systems |
Choosing the Right Mechanical Seal on a Pump
Consider These Factors:
- Operating temperature and pressure
- Media chemical compatibility
- Shaft size and pump type
- Regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, ATEX)
- Availability — can you source mechanical seals near you in an emergency?
If in doubt, stick to standard mechanical seals like 108U or 112 — they’re proven, versatile, and supported across multiple vendors.
Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
- Inspect the shaft for wear or runout.
- Use manufacturer-approved lubricants.
- Clean sealing surfaces thoroughly.
- Avoid over-compressing the seal during installation.
- Monitor performance post-installation and during routine maintenance.
By following proper installation protocols, both 108U and 112 seals can perform reliably for thousands of hours.
Final Thoughts
108U and 112 mechanical seals have earned their place in some of the most demanding industrial applications. Whether it’s managing chemical corrosion in a reactor pump, maintaining a sanitary line in a food processor, or keeping a high-rise HVAC system leak-free, these standard mechanical seals prove their worth over and over again.
If you’re sourcing a mechanical seal on a pump, opting for the 108U or 112 series ensures compatibility, performance, and ease of installation. And when breakdowns happen, having access to mechanical seals near me can save hours or days of downtime.
Choose wisely, install correctly, and these seals will work as hard as your equipment demands.
