Corteco’s products for the heavy-duty aftermarket currently focus on radial shaft seals that have been engineered for the demands of construction and agricultural machinery and other heavy-duty applications. Through this focused approach, Corteco has grown its footprint in the heavy-duty market in recent years.
“Applying the quality of series production directly to the independent aftermarket is not an additional expenditure for us, it’s a logical consequence. We benefit from our wide-ranging experience and the very strict requirements of series development, especially in the automotive sector. These can also be applied perfectly to the heavy-duty market. That is why we will continue to expand our range in this area,” said Dr. Christian Dickopf, senior vice president at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, who is responsible for Corteco.
Heavy-duty applications with special requirements
There are no all-encompassing solutions for the needs in the heavy-duty segment: each application must be considered on its own.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies goes beyond the requirements of the individual OEMs. The test field in Weinheim has more than 300 test rigs. Here, seals and other products endure simulated conditions to ensure their performance beyond a 300,000-kilometer lifespan.
“The individual OEMs have different requirements – all of them are high” says Robert Leins, head of the test field at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “For us, it’s always a matter of transferring the reality into our laboratory and reproducing it in fast motion. An average test cycle is completed here in 240 hours.”
Heavy-duty seals must resist not only mechanical stress but also extreme temperature variations, chemical exposures, and UV radiation. These tests ensure the products’ readiness for all real-life applications.
The company is also active in research: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies regularly fields inquiries from new segments such as e-mobility and shipbuilding. The test rigs can even replicate conditions such as speeds up to 36,000 rpm or shaft diameters reaching one meter. It is always important to consider the entire tribological system, according to Robert Leins. A robust and long-lasting sealing solution emerges only when all components synergise.
The demand for premium products in the heavy-duty and aftermarket segments is steadily climbing. Product reliability remains a key priority.
“A seal that costs just a few euros will protect an investment worth several hundred thousand. So why compromise when you can rely on proven series technology?” Dickopf concluded.
