What is the Difference Between R23 and TB Oil Seal

Number of hits：262025-08-15 10:39:50　

Anyone who works with rotating machinery knows that keeping lubrication where it belongs and keeping dirt out — is not just a small detail. In that conversation, two seal designs often come up: the R23 oil seal and the TB oil seal. On paper they may look similar, but their internal build and the way they handle certain operating conditions set them apart.

Looking at the R23 oil seal first

The R23 is a radial shaft seal with two lips and a garter spring tucked behind the main lip. That spring applies a steady pressure on the shaft surface, helping the primary lip hold back oil or grease. The secondary lip sits slightly outward and acts as a barrier against dust, grit, or splashes of water. In places where contamination is part of daily life — think farm machinery, earth-moving vehicles, or exposed marine drives — this layout offers extra insurance. A thin film of grease between the lips reduces friction and slows wear.

Construction and materials

Most R23 seals have an outer diameter covered in rubber, which helps them adapt to small variations in the housing bore. Elastomer options include:

· NBR for general-purpose oil and grease retention in −40°C to +125°C range.

·FKM when heat and chemical exposure are high, up to +270°C.

The TB oil seal design

This profile uses a rigid metal case on the outside, giving it excellent shape stability for large or precisely machined housings. Inside, an elastomer lip — energized by a spring — does the sealing, with a secondary lip to guard against dust.

Key differences in practice

While both have dual lips and springs, the R23 is rubber-coated OD is more forgiving if the housing bore has minor imperfections or expands slightly under heat. The TB’s metal casing, on the other hand, keeps everything dimensionally true under mechanical stress. Contaminant-heavy sites often lean toward R23 seal; heavy-duty, high-precision assemblies may lean toward TB seal.

Typical deployments

· R23 oil seal: field equipment, construction gear, pumps, gearboxes in dusty or wet environments.

· TB ouk se: industrial motors, reducers, transmissions, and wind turbine main shafts where housing accuracy is high.

NQKSF is approach

NQKSF supplies both profiles in a wide range of sizes, backed by a deep inventory of O-rings, oil seals, and sealing cords. Custom builds are available, with guidance on material selection, lip geometry, and fitting clearances. Our production and testing facilities ship to more than 80 countries, combining manufacturing capability with hands-on engineering support built over three decades.

Neither the R23 oil seal nor the TB oil seal is a “one-size-fits-all” answer. The best choice depends on the environment, the shaft size, and the tolerances you have to work with. Matching the seal type to the job — and leaning on NQKSF is experience — helps keep machinery running longer with fewer surprises.