TYPE 55B

Data Sheet

Features Summary
• 2-Bolt Gland design
• Self-Aligning Stationary faces
• Easy installation greatly minimising fitting errors
• Hydraulically-balanced faces
• Minimal internal and external protrusion
• Non-Clogging seal faces and springs
• Non-Shaft fretting
• Carbon vs Silicon Carbide Seal Faces providing 3x
higher PV values compared to Carbon vs Ceramic
• Available Ex-Stock

Product Description Performance Capabilities

The Type 55B is a Balanced, Multiple Spring, ‘O’-Ring Temperature:
Mounted, 2-Bolt Gland Cartridge Mechanical Seal.
Minimum Maximum
• Ideal for replacing Gland Packing in common marine Nitrile -30°C +120°C
and general pump applications E.P. -40°C +140°C
• Dual Tangential Flush
Viton® -30°C +180°C
• All components interchangeable between Types
52B/56B and 55B Pressure: Up to 30 bar (435 psi)
• Flush port sizes: 1/8" NPT
Important: Temperature limits are the theoretical elastomer
or design limitations. For maximum theoretical operating
pressure for your specific size and application please refer
to calculation sheet within this data sheet. All performance
information given is for guidance only and is dependent on
on material, operating and application factors that affect seal
performance.

Standard Material Options

More material options are available - please contact Vulcan for more information if the material you require is not shown below.

Rotary Face Stationary Face Elastomers Springs Metal parts

Sintered Silicon Reaction Bonded Viton®
Hastelloy C 316 Stainless Steel
Carbide Silicon Carbide (as standard)
M825 Carbon Tungsten Carbide Nitrile
Tungsten Carbide E.P.

Embrace Excellence - Vulcan Service, Quality and Value

Mechanical Seals | FEP/PFA Encapsulated ‘O’-Rings | Gland Packing | Expanded PTFE Gasketing
UK/World: +44 (0) 114 249 3333 | USA: +1 952 955 8800 | www.vulcanseals.com | contact@vulcanseals.com
55B-DS-VEL - Rev. 3 - JAN 2018
 TYPE 55B
Data Sheet

L2 L1

D2 D3

1 'O'-Ring 6 Seat
D1 D
2 Retainer 7 Gland
3 Coil 8 Spacer
4 Face 9 Grub Screws
5 Sleeve

Dimensional Data
D2 (S/B ID) D2 (S/B ID) L3 Gland
D D1 Rotary OD D3 Gland OD D4 Slot to Slot L1 Ext W/L L2 Int W/L Slot Width
Min Max Width
Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm Inches mm
25 1.66 42.30 1.73 44.00 1.89 48.00 4.00 101.60 2.22 56.50 1.83 46.40 0.46 11.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.000 1.66 42.30 1.73 44.00 1.89 48.00 4.00 101.60 2.22 56.50 1.83 46.40 0.46 11.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
28 1.81 46.00 1.87 47.50 2.01 51.00 4.00 101.60 2.44 62.00 1.83 46.40 0.46 11.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.125 1.81 46.00 1.87 47.50 2.01 51.00 4.00 101.60 2.44 62.00 1.83 46.40 0.46 11.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
30 1.92 48.90 1.97 50.00 2.17 55.00 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.48 12.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.250 1.92 48.90 1.97 50.00 2.17 55.00 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.48 12.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
32 1.92 48.90 1.97 50.00 2.17 55.00 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.48 12.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
33 2.07 52.80 2.12 53.90 2.30 58.50 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.52 13.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.375 2.07 52.80 2.12 53.90 2.30 58.50 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.52 13.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
35 2.07 52.80 2.12 53.90 2.30 58.50 4.37 111.00 2.79 70.90 1.83 46.40 0.52 13.30 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
38 2.20 56.00 2.25 57.15 2.44 62.00 5.25 133.40 2.80 71.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.500 2.20 56.00 2.25 57.15 2.44 62.00 5.25 133.40 2.80 71.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
40 2.33 59.20 2.37 60.30 2.60 66.00 5.25 133.40 2.97 75.50 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.625 2.33 59.20 2.37 60.30 2.60 66.00 5.25 133.40 2.97 75.50 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
42 2.33 59.20 2.37 60.30 2.60 66.00 5.25 133.40 2.97 75.50 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
43 2.45 62.40 2.50 63.50 2.91 74.00 5.28 134.00 3.27 83.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
44 2.45 62.40 2.50 63.50 2.91 74.00 5.28 134.00 3.27 83.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.750 2.45 62.40 2.50 63.50 2.91 74.00 5.28 134.00 3.27 83.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
45 2.45 62.40 2.50 63.50 2.91 74.00 5.28 134.00 3.27 83.00 1.83 46.40 0.54 13.80 1.20 30.50 0.51 13.00
1.875 2.59 65.80 2.62 66.67 2.91 74.00 5.25 133.40 3.25 82.50 1.83 46.40 0.62 15.80 1.20 30.50 0.63 16.00
48 2.59 65.80 2.62 66.67 2.91 74.00 5.25 133.40 3.25 82.50 1.83 46.40 0.62 15.80 1.20 30.50 0.63 16.00
50 2.70 68.80 2.75 69.85 3.11 79.00 5.37 136.50 3.66 93.00 1.94 49.40 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
2.000 2.70 68.80 2.75 69.85 3.11 79.00 5.37 136.50 3.66 93.00 1.94 49.40 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
2.125 2.83 71.90 2.87 73.02 3.25 82.55 6.00 152.40 3.76 95.40 1.94 49.40 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
55 2.96 75.20 3.01 76.50 3.37 85.72 6.00 152.40 3.76 95.50 1.94 49.40 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
2.250 2.96 75.20 3.01 76.50 3.37 85.72 6.00 152.40 3.76 95.50 1.94 49.40 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
60 3.08 78.30 3.12 79.37 3.50 88.90 6.50 165.00 3.78 96.00 2.03 51.50 0.45 11.50 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
2.375 3.08 78.30 3.12 79.37 3.50 88.90 6.50 165.00 3.78 96.00 2.03 51.50 0.45 11.50 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
63 3.31 84.20 3.37 85.72 3.63 92.25 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.50 12.80 1.38 35.00 0.63 16.00
2.500 3.31 84.20 3.37 85.72 3.63 92.25 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.50 12.80 1.32 33.50 0.63 16.00
65 3.44 87.40 3.50 88.90 3.87 98.42 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.57 14.60 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
2.625 3.44 87.40 3.50 88.90 3.87 98.42 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.57 14.60 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
2.750 3.56 90.60 3.62 92.07 3.87 98.42 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.57 14.60 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
70 3.56 90.60 3.62 92.07 3.87 98.42 6.87 174.60 4.38 111.30 2.13 54.00 0.57 14.60 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
75 3.81 96.90 3.88 98.43 4.50 114.30 7.48 190.00 4.92 125.00 2.13 54.00 0.59 15.00 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
3.000 3.81 96.90 3.88 98.43 4.50 114.30 7.48 190.00 4.92 125.00 2.13 54.00 0.59 15.00 1.40 35.50 0.63 16.00
3.125 3.93 100.00 4.00 101.60 4.50 114.30 7.48 190.00 4.96 126.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
80 3.93 100.00 4.00 101.60 4.50 114.30 7.48 190.00 4.96 126.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
3.250 4.06 103.30 4.13 104.78 4.62 117.47 7.99 203.00 5.28 134.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
85 4.18 106.40 4.25 107.95 4.75 120.65 7.99 203.00 5.28 134.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
3.375 4.18 106.40 4.25 107.95 4.75 120.65 7.99 203.00 5.28 134.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
3.500 4.31 109.60 4.38 111.13 4.75 120.65 8.50 216.00 5.67 144.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
90 4.44 112.80 4.50 114.30 5.25 133.40 8.50 216.00 5.67 144.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
3.625 4.44 112.80 4.50 114.30 5.25 133.40 8.50 216.00 5.67 144.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
95 4.56 116.00 4.63 117.48 5.37 136.52 8.50 216.00 5.75 146.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
3.750 4.56 116.00 4.63 117.48 5.37 136.52 8.50 216.00 5.75 146.00 2.13 54.00 0.63 16.00 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
100 4.94 125.60 5.13 130.18 5.75 146.05 9.00 228.60 6.10 155.00 2.24 57.00 0.43 10.80 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00
4.000 4.94 125.60 5.13 130.18 5.75 146.05 9.00 228.60 6.10 155.00 2.24 57.00 0.43 10.80 1.40 35.50 0.79 20.00

Embrace Excellence - Vulcan Service, Quality and Value

Mechanical Seals | FEP/PFA Encapsulated ‘O’-Rings | Gland Packing | Expanded PTFE Gasketing
UK/World: +44 (0) 114 249 3333 | USA: +1 952 955 8800 | www.vulcanseals.com | contact@vulcanseals.com
55B-DS-VEL - Rev. 3 - JAN 2018
 TYPE 55B
Data Sheet

Maximum Operating Pressure TYPE 55B PV Chart

The maximum operating pressures shown in the chart
are based on a Carbon rotary face running against a
Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide Stationary face.

It also assumes stable operation at the speeds shown

in the multiplier tables below, in a clean, cool, lubricating
and non-volatile fluid with an adequate flush rate.

To calculate the approximate maximum operating

pressure for a specific duty, multiply the pressure value
obtained from the chart opposite for a particular Type
55B seal shaft size by the appropriate factors given in
the tables below.

Based on Carbon vs Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide Seal Faces

Application Conditions Face and Seat Materials

Criteria Multiplier Combination Multiplier
Product Fluid Lubricating fluids x 1.00 Carbon vs Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide x 0.90
Aqueous solutions / Water x 0.85 Carbon vs Tungsten Carbide x 0.90
Temperature Below 70°C (158°F) x 1.00 Sintered Silicon Carbide vs Reaction Bonded Silicon x 0.41
71°C to 120°C (160°F to 248°F) x 0.85 Carbide
121°C to 175°C (250°F to 347°F) x 0.75 Tungsten Carbide vs Tungsten Carbide x 0.50
Over 176°C (349°F) x 0.60
Speed Up to 1750 RPM x 1.00
1750 to 3600 RPM x 0.80

Example Calculation for Type Guidance Only

55B Please note that due to the many operational and
application variables that affect seal performance,
A. Shaft size: 2” therefore pressure is 30 bar (from PV the information given on this page is for guidance
chart) only.
B. Media: Water (multiplier = 0.85)
C. Temperature: 50°C (multiplier = 1.00) We therefore strongly recommend careful individual
D. Speed: 1450 RPM (multiplier = 1.00) testing and monitoring of all seals and related
E. Face combination: Sintered Silicon Carbide vs Re- equipment for any proposed application.
action Bonded Silicon Carbide (multiplier = 0.41)
Our policy is one of continuous technical and
For this particular Type 55B seal size, the calculation for efficiency improvement. As such, all specifications
the approximate guidance maximum operating pressure may be subject to change without prior notice.
would be:

A x B x C x D x E

30 bar x 0.85 x 1.00 x 1.00 x 0.41 = 10.46 bar

Embrace Excellence - Vulcan Service, Quality and Value

Mechanical Seals | FEP/PFA Encapsulated ‘O’-Rings | Gland Packing | Expanded PTFE Gasketing
UK/World: +44 (0) 114 249 3333 | USA: +1 952 955 8800 | www.vulcanseals.com | contact@vulcanseals.com
55B-DS-VEL - Rev. 3 - JAN 2018