PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present short characteristics of shape memory alloys (SMA) and shape memory polymers (SMP) and some examples of application of these materials in industrial sealing technology.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, short characteristic of shape memory materials and design examples of applying them in industrial sealing technology such as: tube coupling in hydraulic systems, flanged pipe connections, lip radial seal, mechanical face seal, soft gland packing, magnetic fluid seal, and in bearing seal system for drill bit, are given.FindingsThe paper provides information about innovative fluid seal designs based on particular properties of the shape memory materials, applied in stationary joints, and rotary equipments. These new solutions provide often to simplify seal design, their miniaturization, increase of tightness, and reduction of operating costs.Originality/valueThis paper offers some new fluid seal designs based on the shape memory materials and their practical application in industrial sealing technology.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This paper seeks to present some new designs of sliding bearings lubricated with magnetic fluids (ferrofluids) and the possibility of using them in modern bearing technology, in new computer and audiovisual equipment among others. Design/methodology/approach -The paper presents new designs of journal, thrust and journal-thrust sliding bearings lubricated and sealed with magnetic fluids such as: magnetic fluid bearing bushing made of magnetizable material, pivot bearings with porous sleeve impregnated with ferrofluid, self-aligning bearings, hydrodynamic ferrofluid bearings with spiral and herringbone grooves structure are presented. Moreover, examples are shown of applications in modern bearing technology.Findings -The paper provides information about new designs of magnetic fluid sliding bearings assemblies and gives the main advantages of these bearings over conventional ball bearings, such as extremely low non-repetitive run-out (high-accuracy of rotation), good damping and quietness of operation, maintenance free service and high reliability. Originality/value -This paper offers some new designs of compact, low friction and self-contained magnetic fluid sliding bearings and points up their practical applications.

No abstract

Purpose -To present some new designs of magnetic fluid exclusion seals for rolling bearings and possibility to use them in modern industrial sealing applications. Design/methodology/approach -In the paper is given principle of magnetic fluid sealing technology and are presented new designs of magnetic fluid exclusion seals for rolling bearings, such as compact magnetic fluid seals, two-stages seals being combination of magnetic fluid seal and labyrinth seal or radial lip seal, magnetic fluid seals with "floating" magnetic system. This paper also shows examples of their application in various rotating process equipment. Findings -Provides information about new designs of bearing seals and gives the main advantages of these seals over other types, such as total tightness, low viscous drag, maintenance-free service and high reliability. Originality/value -This paper offers some new designs of high-performance magnetic fluid exclusion seals for rolling bearings and points their practical applications.

No abstract