Trelleborg Exhibits Innovations at the Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions showcases advanced solutions for pump, compressor and gas turbine applications at the Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia in Houston, Texas, September 22 to 24, 2026, at Booth #1452.

Eric Bucci, global technical manager, oil and gas, says: “Components inside turbomachinery must operate flawlessly under severe heat and pressure. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the sealing and bearing systems where innovation can minimize energy loss, protect equipment and ensure compliance. Trelleborg offers high-performance materials backed by extensive R&D capabilities, so our components remain reliable where failure is not an option.”

On display are Trelleborg’s XploR S-Seals designed for extreme pressure and temperature environments in static oil and gas applications. These seals use innovative, flexible anti-extrusion support elements in the corners to ensure robust, high-performance sealing in challenging energy application conditions. Leak-tight sealing is achieved by controlled deformation of the elastomer element. Extrusion resistance is provided by the specially designed springs that support the elastomer element yet are flexible enough to allow straightforward installation.

Also featured is Trelleborg’s advanced HiMod composite bearings made using patented automated fiber placement (AFP) technology. This robotic fabrication method for thermoset and thermoplastic composites creates high-quality, consistent and repeatable parts.

James Simpson, global segment director energy, says: “The key attribute of AFP composite bearings is their high wear extrusion and wear resistance even in dry running conditions, making them ideal for extending service life in arduous conditions. These unique bearings can also operate from an extremely low temperature of -250 °F to +525 °F/-156 °C to +274 °C.”

Trelleborg also showcases Wills Rings O and C. Constructed from metal, their ability to handle extreme temperatures and pressures exceeds that of polymeric and elastomeric seal types. They are also resistant to corrosion, chemical attack and radiation.  Bucci notes: “In applications where temperature and pressure are too extreme for polymers, our Wills Rings offer unrivaled resistance to pressures up to 400 MPa/60,000 psi and temperatures up to +1550 °F/+850 °C. Using innovative design profiles, almost any size is customizable and can be tailored to your specific application.”

Trelleborg also demonstrates its polyetheretherketone (PEEK) labyrinth material made using high-performance polymers. This sealing material offers better performance, noise reduction, reduced corrosion and longer service life for seals and bearings in turbomachinery applications.

Simpson says: “The industry standard is a metallic labyrinth seal, and this can be easily damaged when it runs too close to the rotating shaft. Our polymer material is more forgiving so if it comes into contact with other hardware it will not be compromised.”

Other products on display critical to reciprocating and rotary applications are Trelleborg’s Variseal range. Made with propriety Turcon polytetrafluoroethylene-based jacket materials, they are energized with metallic springs for high-integrity dynamic and static sealing.

Finally, Trelleborg will showcase its PEEK flanged bushings for variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) in gas turbines. “The bushings are filled with advanced lubricants for exceptionally low friction and high durability and are produced using net-shape injection molding, so no secondary machining is required,” says Bucci. “This offsets the high-volume needs of today’s turbine OEMs and brings performance benefits proven over decades of operation.”

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