Vacuum Shaft Seals for High Vacuum & UHV
Performance Sealing Inc. designs and manufactures vacuum shaft seals for high vacuum and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) applications where standard sealing solutions fall short. Our engineering team works with premium Duron® materials to solve sealing challenges most manufacturers can't, having successfully sealed vacuums down to 10-6 Pascals.
Engineered for High Vacuum Sealing
High vacuum sealing demands more than a standard shaft seal. As equipment moves toward deeper vacuum levels, wider temperature ranges, and faster rotational speeds, the seal has to hold performance with minimal lubricating effect at the interface. Every vacuum pump shaft seal we build starts with careful material selection and seal geometry matched to your system's actual operating conditions, not a generic off-the-shelf substitute.
Rotary Vacuum Seal Design for Ultra-High Vacuum
For applications that require true UHV performance, a single seal often isn't enough. PSI achieves ultra-high vacuum by stacking three Duruseals® in series, pumping down between each one to progressively reduce leak path pressure. This staged rotary vacuum seal approach lets us hold vacuum levels that a single-stage design can't reach, while still accommodating continuous shaft rotation.
Vacuum Pump Shaft Seal Applications
Our vacuum shaft seals are built into a range of rotating and reciprocating vacuum equipment, including:
- Compressor seals
- UHV pumping systems
- Scientific vacuum shaft seals
- Scientific vacuum scroll seals
- Rotary vane and rotary piston vacuum pumps
- Screw-type vacuum pumps
These solutions serve industries where vacuum integrity is non-negotiable — semiconductor and scientific instrumentation manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and industrial equipment production among them.
Why PSI for Vacuum Sealing
Every vacuum shaft seal is developed around your specific operating, hardware, and commercial requirements — not selected from a catalog. Our design techniques and Duron® material selection are built specifically to solve high-vacuum sealing problems that standard elastomer or PTFE seals can't handle reliably at depth.
Contact our technical sales staff to discuss your application, or submit a request for quote and we'll respond with a complete proposal.
Request A Quote Online Or Call Us At 866.429.2536
High Vacuum Sealing FAQs
What's the deepest vacuum level your seals can hold?
PSI's vacuum shaft seals have successfully sealed applications down to 10-6 Pascals. For ultra-high vacuum requirements beyond a single seal's capability, we stage three Duruseals® in series with pump-down between each to reach UHV performance.
What's the difference between a static vacuum seal and a rotary vacuum shaft seal?
A static seal holds vacuum across a fixed joint with no relative motion, while a rotary vacuum shaft seal has to maintain the vacuum boundary around a continuously rotating shaft — which means managing friction, heat, and wear at the seal face without sacrificing vacuum integrity.
What materials hold up best in high vacuum and UHV environments?
Standard elastomers tend to outgas and degrade at deep vacuum levels. PSI relies on premium Duron® materials specifically selected and tested for low outgassing and stable performance under high-vacuum and UHV conditions.
Can you design a vacuum shaft seal for our existing pump or compressor?
Yes. Rather than fitting your equipment to a stock part, PSI's engineers design the seal around your system's actual shaft geometry, operating pressure, temperature range, and speed requirements.
How do I know which vacuum seal configuration is right for my application?
It depends on your target vacuum level, whether the shaft is rotating or static, and your operating temperature and speed. Our technical sales team reviews your application's specific conditions before recommending a single-seal or staged UHV configuration.
Request A Quote Online Or Call Us At 866.429.2536