Inflatable Seals
Fully Molded Construction of the seal ensure a reliable and effective performance even when the two faces are misaligned or not perfectly aligned , saving time and cost of user this feature makes wespo The Most dependable seal in he Industry.
Introduction
What Are Inflatable Seals?
Inflatable seals are hollow elastomeric profiles designed to expand when supplied with compressed air.
100% Leak Proof Inflatable Seals For Every Application Custom Engineered. Precision Built.
In Industries where airtight, watertight, dust-tight, or contamination-free sealing is essential, conventional compression seals often struggle to deliver reliable performance. This is where inflatable seals provide a superior solution.
Wespo 500+ ready Inflatable Seals Profile
Inflatable rubber seals are widely used throughout the USA in pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleanrooms, aerospace facilities, nuclear plants, food processing equipment, laboratory systems, industrial doors, and containment applications where dependable sealing performance is critical.
Why USA Industries Wespo Prefer Inflatable Rubber Seals
30+ Years Experience
Large Range Of Products
Design guidance for customized seals
Inflatable Seals Classification
Fully Molded Construction And Fabric Reinforcement Makes Our.
Wespo Inflatable door seal is elastomeric tube or with reinforced (depend on pressure) custom molded in a round concave, convoluted or flat configuration . it is designed to round out with the introduction of an inflation medium to form a tight barrier between a mounting and striking surface.
Fabric Reinforced Inflatable Seal
A fabric reinforced seal is a completely molded seal which is built around the same operating principles as a homogeneous inflatable seal. The addition of fabric helps increase the amount of internal pressure by which the seal can operate, where higher pressures are required in a non-enclosed form.
Axial
Axially expanding Inflatable Seals have the centerline diameter as the fixed dimension. The Inflatable Seal expands in the perpendicular direction with respect to the diameter. These seals are sometimes also referred to as face seals.
Radial-Outward
Seals expanding radially outward have the Air Inlet Valves(AIV) typically installed into a channel with the inside diameter (ID) as the fixed dimension.
Radial-Inward
Inflatable seals with small outside diameters may end up wrinkling with this kind of expansion. Seals expanding radially inward have Air Inlet Valves(AIV) typically installed into a channel with the outside diameter (OD).
Circular
Inflatable Seals with circular geometry are the most commonly used seals owing to their wide application. Circular Inflatable Seals are the mostly preferred in manhole covers, hopper seals or in industrial machinery like fluidized bed dryers, autoclaves; where in the machines are made in circular dimensions.
Rectangle
Rectangular Inflatable Seals are very commonly found in door applications like doors for clean rooms, nuclear facility, satellite testing facility, etc. Please note, Western Rubbers’ does not fabricate rectangular seals with tight radiused corners. This is to ensure the seal expansion is not compromised at any point.
U Shaped
U shaped Inflatable Seals are a common configuration in inflatable gate seals. Ends of u-shaped seals are vulcanized and hence cannot inflate. The uninflated portion of the seal depends upon the seal profile and application. Appropriate retention mechanisms for this configuration is available at Western Rubbers.
Strip
Inflatable seals with straight configurations are most commonly found in clamps and actuators. Straight seals have vulcanized ends that do not expand. The amount of uninflated area in straight seals depends on profile and application. We provide retention mechanisms that work well for straight seals.
WESPO AIR SEALTM
Wide Range of Inflatable Seals From Wespo
Inflatable Seals Applications
Industries We Serve Across USA
Inflatable Seals for Bulk Material Handling
Bulk Material Handling Inflatable seals have high abrasion resistance to increase performance and seal like especially for highly abrasive applications like Bulk Bag Filling and Drum Filling. Major OEMs have also started to switch from standard inflatable seals to Fabric Reinforced Seals longer cycle like reducing their equipment downtime .
Inflatable Seals for Critical Doors
Seperate Page ( nuclear power plant, Gas tight doors, Satellite Vibration testing facility, Jet Propulsion Lab Doors.
Inflatable Seals for Vaccuum Impregnation Equipments
Automotive and critical engineering castings need a specialised impregnation treatment to ensure no porosi ty or failure of the castings. These opertations are carried out in Vacuum conditions needing Inflatable Seals to ensure air tight sealing
Fabric Reinforced EPDM Inflatable seal for Nuclear Power Plants
Western Polyrub Inflatable Seals manufactured for the nuclear facility are radiation tested. Designed to be resilient to radiation ensure leak proof sealing in extrement conditions .
USP class Vl Inflatable Seal for Pharmaceutical Equipments
Silicone Inflatable Seals for Medical and Phamaceutical application meets US FDA, USP CLASS Vl and EU pharmacopoeia requirements. Some of the applications included Fludised Bed Dryers/processors, Glove box Isolators, Tablet Coater, Clean Room Doors, Laboratory Automation Equipments.
Semiconductor Equipment Inflatable Seals
Inflatable Seals for the semiconductor industry are designed with fabric reinforced for vey high cycle life. These are specifically packed in clean room enviroments for highly critical semiconductor manufacturing facilities. These inflatable seals are used in Lithography Equipment , Load lock equipments, CVD/ PEVD equipment seal, Fabrication Units, Etching, Deposition and Implantation equipments.
Inflatable Seals for Aerospace and Defence
These custom made large fabric reinforced seals are designed with extreme temperature and moisture condition encountered in aerospace applications. Seals are made from Silicone and Flurosilicone for high durability and performance Some applications include Canopy of figter jets, Door Hanger seals, Passenger aircraft door seal, satellite transportation container seals.
Inflatable Seals for Marine Applications
Inflatable Seals for Marine applications have custom compounds of EPDM and Neoprene keeping in mind the highly Saline and Corrosive enviroment of the Sea. Inflatable Seals are made fo Hatches and Doors, Superyachts, propellor shafts, Sub sea equipments.
DESIGN GUIDANCE
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DESIGN GUIDANCE
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PURPOSE
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Environment
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Select rubber compatible with temperature and fluids in contact
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Expected Life
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Choose between fabric or non-fabric seals based on durability needs
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Pressure Differential
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Select fabric or non-fabric seals based on pressure conditions
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Inflation Gap
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Choose the correct seal profile based on the required inflation gap
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Equipment Design
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Determine corner radius (if applicable) and inflation type (Radial In/Out)
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Air Connector
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Ensure easy installation and removal of the seal
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Retention Mechanism
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Secure the seal to prevent displacement during operation
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Safety Systems
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Prevent over-pressurization to avoid seal failure
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Need a Custom Inflatable Seal Solution for Your USA Facility?
TYPES OF RUBBER FOR INFLATABLE SEALS
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MATERIAL
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TEMPERATURE RANGE
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STRENGHTS
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LIMITATIONS
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EPDM
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-50°C to 150°C
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Excellent aging, ozone, weather resistance; Flexible at low temperatures
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Poor resistance to petroleum oils, acids, and bases
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Neoprene
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-40°C to 125°C
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Good weather and ozone resistance; Moderate oil resistance; Flame resistant
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Not suitable for strong acids, esters, or gasoline
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NBR
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-40°C to 120°C
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High resistance to oils and fuels; Good abrasion resistance
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Poor resistance to ozone, sunlight, and weathering
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HNBR
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-40°C to 165°C
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Exceptional oil/fuel resistance; Superior mechanical properties
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Higher cost; Limited resistance to strong acids and bases
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Natural Rubber (NR)
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-50°C to 80°C
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High resilience, flexibility; Good adhesion to metals
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Poor resistance to oils, ozone, weathering; Limited temperature stability
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Silicone (MVQ)
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-60°C to 230°C
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Excellent temperature resistance; Good weather and UV resistance
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Poor resistance to oils, acids; Lower tensile strength
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Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
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-60°C to 200°C
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Excellent resistance to oils and solvents; Wide temperature range
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Higher cost; Lower mechanical properties than silicone
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FKM (Viton)
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20°C to 200°C
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uperior chemical resistance; Excellent high-temp stability
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Poor low-temperature performance; Higher cost
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How Inflatable Seals Work
The operating principle behind inflatable seals is simple yet highly effective.
The inflatable gasket is installed inside a specially designed groove or mounting channel.
The door, hatch, chamber, or closure moves into position.
Compressed air is introduced through an air fitting.
The seal expands outward and fills the sealing gap.
The expanded seal conforms to the mating surface and creates a reliable airtight or watertight barrier.
When access is required, air pressure is released and the seal retracts, allowing smooth opening.
This approach eliminates the excessive closing forces often required by traditional compression gaskets.
