Front fork seal
Ariete seals - quality and durability.
Ariete's high manufacturing quality matches their unique manufacturing material – a carboxylated elastomer rubber compound known as XNBR
This unique rubber compound has excellent resistance to wear, high temperatures, and various additives contained in lubricants used in today's motorcycle shocks.
When the shock moves against the seal, it creates considerable friction, which is amplified by the heat generated by friction and hydraulics. This mechanical wear accelerates the aging of the rubber seal. In addition, the chemical additives in the oils used in shocks also age the seal.
Fork seals are typically made from a nitrile rubber compound, known as NBR.
This is used not because it is the best material for this application, but because it is readily available and very cheap.
After 50 years in the rubber industry, following several years of research and testing, Ariete engineers have concluded that XNBR rubber compound is currently the best for this application in terms of wear resistance and chemical resistance.
| TEST |
Standard
|
NBR
|
XNBR
|
| Tensile Strength (PSI) |
ASTM D412
|
2130
|
3270
|
| Abrasion Resistance % |
ASTM D1630
|
210
|
590
|
Although the price of XNBR material is almost twice as expensive as NBR, thanks to Ariete's modern manufacturing technology and distribution policy, their price range is very competitive compared to products from competitors using NBR rubber compound. Thanks to this, the Ariete buyer can enjoy the benefits of a very high-quality and technologically advanced yet affordably priced product. As an additional guarantee of product quality, Ariete holds ISO 9002 quality certification.
Arisil - special seal grease
Ariete front fork seals are designed to withstand all the different additives used in shock absorber oils. The application of front fork seals differs from standard engine oil seals, as there is an up-and-down movement in fork seals. Due to this movement, the wear on the seal is many times greater than on a standard engine oil seal.
In addition to the special rubber compound used in the seals, Ariete has selected a special grease (Arisil) that is applied to the inner surface of the seal during installation to minimize seal wear, aid in seal 'break-in', and reduce surface adhesion.
This grease is manufactured in the USA and was originally intended as a lubricant for rubber/metal components on NASA space program equipment. Arisil grease gives the seal a longer life, helps maintain elasticity, and increases resistance to chemical influences.
All Ariete front fork seal packages contain a sufficient amount of Arisil grease for both seals in the package.