Sealing and lubricating grease is mainly used in underwater ROVs for sealing and lubrication of electronics pods, cameras, lights, junction boxes, valve boxes, compasses, and other components. Its core role is to prevent water ingress in deep-water environments, ensure normal equipment operation, and extend service life. The following analysis covers application necessity, product characteristics, and specific application scenarios.
I. Application Necessity: Sealing Requirements for ROV Components in Underwater Environments
Underwater ROVs operate in deep-water areas. Core components such as electronics pods, cameras, and lights, as well as accessories such as junction boxes, valve boxes, and compasses, all require strict waterproofing. Water ingress into any component can cause equipment failure, burned electronic components, and difficult repairs. Therefore, sealing technology is key to reliable ROV operation, and sealing lubricating grease is a prerequisite for ensuring sealing performance and service performance.
II. Core Characteristics of Sealing and Lubricating Grease
Using SOKO sealing waterproof lubricating grease as an example, it is formed by combining refined synthetic oil with an inorganic thickener, plus structure stabilizers and various additives. This produces the following key properties:
Waterproof sealing: Excellent water repellency effectively blocks moisture penetration and prevents liquid ingress under deep-water pressure.
Material compatibility: It does not corrode metals, plastics, or rubber. It is well compatible with sealing materials such as O-rings and helps avoid aging and cracking of seals.
Environmental adaptability:
Temperature range: -60°C to 200°C, adapting to deep-water low temperatures and equipment operating heat.
Insulation: High dielectric properties help prevent creepage and protect electronic components.
Lubrication: A low friction coefficient reduces mechanical wear and extends seal life.
Environmental safety: Non-toxic and odorless, compliant with EU RoHS and food-grade certifications such as FDA, USDF, and NSF H1. Suitable for scenarios with high environmental requirements.
III. Specific Application Scenarios in Underwater ROVs
Mechanical seal assistance: In rotating shafts or reciprocating parts of ROVs, such as valve boxes and plungers, sealing lubricating grease fills the mechanical seal faces, forms a lubricating film, blocks water, and reduces friction and leakage risk.
O-ring seal enhancement: Used together with O-rings, the grease fills微小 gaps between rubber and metal contact surfaces, improving sealing effect while preventing rubber from swelling or hardening during long-term immersion.
Electronic component protection: Applied at interfaces such as electronics pods and junction boxes, it forms a waterproof barrier against salt spray or high-pressure water jets, protecting circuit boards and connectors.
Lubrication and sealing of special parts:
Plug valves and gaskets: Grease is applied to threads or sliding surfaces of valves and plug valves to ensure flexible operation and sealing.
Wedge seals: Filled into complex-shaped seals to adapt to deep-water pressure changes.
Cable connectors and insulated terminals: Provide insulation and moisture protection, avoiding signal interference or short circuits.
Multi-material interface lubrication: Used at contact surfaces between plastics, rubber, and metals, such as connections between the ROV housing and internal components, to reduce friction and galvanic corrosion between different materials.
IV. Selection and Use Recommendations
Compatibility verification: Before selection, confirm the compatibility of the grease with ROV materials, such as rubber type and metal surface treatment, to avoid chemical corrosion.
Performance matching: Select the pressure resistance and high/low temperature performance of the grease according to ROV working depth (pressure) and temperature range.
Application standards: Apply evenly to cover sealing surfaces. Avoid excess grease that may overflow, pollute the environment, or interfere with equipment operation.
Regular maintenance: Check the grease condition at sealing points and replenish or replace it in time to ensure long-term waterproof effect.
Through its combined performance, sealing lubricating grease has become a key material in underwater ROV sealing systems. It directly affects equipment reliability and service life in extreme environments. Choosing products such as SOKO that pass ISO9001 and SGS certification can further ensure quality and safety.
For ROV manufacturers and maintenance teams, Hansheng Automation can machine custom sealing housings, connector mounts, valve blocks, and other non-standard components from customer drawings in single pieces or small batches.
