Posted to News on 20th Nov 2011, 16:57
Heavy-duty SKF Speedi-Sleeve manufactured from stainless steel
The SKF Speedi-Sleeve slender steel collar that can be slipped over a worn shaft to provide a new sealing surface has been upgraded for use in more aggressive conditions. The new-generation SKF Speedi-Sleeve is manufactured from proprietary stainless steel to enable the product to be used in industrial gearboxes, electrical equipment such as motor shafts, off-highway construction and agricultural vehicles, and mining and mineral processing equipment including crushers, conveyors, fans and pumps. The use of proprietary stainless steel offers increased strength and superior ductility, resulting in an optimised sealing surface and minimised wear on the sleeve and sealing lip during operation.
In tests conducted by SKF, the new SKF Speedi-Sleeve demonstrated 50 per cent greater resistance to abrasive media than its predecessor. Tests were performed using both coarse and fine dust, at linear shaft speeds up to 8.6m/s (1700ft/min). During a further 2000-hour seal life expectancy test, the advanced SKF Speedi-Sleeve reduced wear on the seal counterface by approximately 30 per cent compared with the previous sleeve.
Julian Webb, the global product manager, comments: "In original-equipment applications, SKF Speedi-Sleeve can be installed at the outset, making shaft requirements less stringent and often eliminating the need for costly shaft treatments. In repair and replacement applications, SKF Speedi-Sleeve has clear benefits over other maintenance approaches that require system disassembly and shaft regrinding."
A further enhanced product, SKF Speedi-Sleeve Gold, has also been introduced for use in highly abrasive environments and for applications with seals made of filled PTFE.
