CR
Seals
SEAL TYPES
CR Seals
Founded in 1878 as Chicago Rawhide, these seals have one of the longest histories in the seal industry. Over 110+ years, these seals have set industry standards for performance and service life in both industrial and automotive shaft seals. SKF, a global bearing and seal manufacturing company, acquired Chicago Rawhide in the late 1990’s. CR seals are made of advanced materials, offering reliable sealing for rotating, oscillating, and linear movements. Their robust construction helps prevent leakage of lubricants, making them ideal for use in harsh environments where reliability and efficiency are crucial. At Independence Seal Company, we provide precise prototypes and replacements for CR seals tailored to meet specific application requirements. We can also provide these replacements customized to customer specification. Sending a sample or a print, or by providing a SKF part number and we can offer a replacement.
Features of Replacement CR Seals
Here are notable features of our seal replacements offered by Independence Seal Company:
- Premium Material Options: These seals are made from advanced, high-performance materials, including NBR, Viton, Silicone, EPDM, leather, FDA-compliant materials, and PTFE. Each material is chosen based on specific application requirements, including chemical resistance, temperature range, and compliance standards. This ensures they perform reliably in harsh operating environments and provide long-lasting durability.
- Wide Range of Sizes: Available in different sizes depending on the application and the machinery in which they are used. Common forms include O-rings, radial seals, and axial seals.
- Lip Configurations: Seals come with multiple lip configurations, including single–lip and double–lip, to enhance sealing efficiency. Different lip designs improve fluid retention, pressure resistance, and sealing performance in rotating applications.
- Self-Retaining Structure: Most seals have built-in self-retaining structures, which eliminates the need for additional metal housing or external retention devices. This simplifies installation and ensures a secure, reliable fit, reducing the risk of seal displacement during operation.
- Custom Shape and Configurations: Seals can be customized to meet specific operational requirements. Whether you need specialized materials, lip configurations or particular characteristics, they can provide the ideal sealing solutions for your needs.
Popular CR Seals
Our team of experts delivers customized alternatives for different CR seal models. Here are some of them:
- Wave Seals: Renowned for their sturdy and reliable design, these seals are among the most trusted standard seal types ever developed. These seals feature a wave-shaped lip configuration that provides a consistent and secure sealing surface, which minimizes wear and tear. Wave Seals are widely used in various industries, including automotive, machinery, and aerospace, providing efficient and long-lasting sealing solutions for rotating equipment. Their ability to resist high pressure and offer excellent sealing under dynamic conditions makes them a top choice for critical applications.
- HM Seals: The HM series seals are specifically engineered to provide superior protection against contamination, ensuring that harmful dirt, water, or other particles do not compromise the integrity of critical components. These seals are designed to perform in demanding and challenging environments, including high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-speed conditions. HM seals excel in automotive, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment, where protection from contaminants is crucial. The seal’s durable construction and resistance to wear help extend the lifespan of machinery, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
- Flex Seals: They are designed to handle shaft misalignment and deflection, which often occur in heavy-duty industrial applications. These seals maintain reliable sealing performance even when shafts are not perfectly aligned or subjected to varying loads. With their flexible lip design, these seals can adapt to different operational conditions, ensuring a tight seal that prevents leakage and enhances machine efficiency. They are commonly used in industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing, where high levels of vibration, misalignment, and harsh environments are prevalent. These seals help improve equipment performance and reduce the risk of costly failures.
Unlock Maximum Performance with High-Quality replacement CR Seals
Ensure your equipment runs smoothly and efficiently with our premium CR seals. Designed for durability and superior protection, our seals meet or exceed OEM standards, reducing wear and preventing costly breakdowns. Contact us today for custom solutions tailored to your needs!


