PLYMOUTH, Mich.—Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies has begun supplying radial shaft seals to a major Detroit-based auto maker for its latest pick-up trucks and SUVs. The unit, which runs Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in Americas, said in a news release that the lightweight BlueSeal systems would be installed on V6 and V8 engines.
The seals are part of Freudenberg's low emission sealing solution (LESS) portfolio of products.
The company claims that the seals provide "significant weight, friction and installation advantages" over traditional radial shaft seals, noting that the system is 40 percent lighter than conventional radial shaft seals. It also requires 50 percent less space to install, the firm said.
It is made of a single material—a steel-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)—which is designed to withstand harsh engine fluids while providing an axial space reduction.
Under the contract with the auto maker, Freudenberg-NOK will produce more than 2 million BlueSeals each year. The company expects production to increase to more than 4 million units annually with orders from additional customers.
Freudenberg said that it pursues a "dual product development strategy," which supports both internal combustion powertrain applications and new technologies that such as lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells.
The BlueSeal, it claims, offers system benefits in both areas.
"The automotive industry is undergoing profound transmission and driveline changes," Jeff Nelson, vice president, automotive sales, Freudenberg-NOK, said in a statement. "It is our job to provide… solutions that address the needs of all mobility platforms regardless of the fuel they use," he added.