The wrong choice of seal materials will cause corrosion problems. Hastelloy C springs are needed to prevent chloride stress corrosion problems associated with the 300 series of stainless steel. 350 bellows metal is proving to be inferior for long seal life in high temperature petroleum products. All of the seal components must be chemically compatible with what you are sealing as well as any cleaners or solvents in the lines. The wrong lubricant on the O-ring can cause it to swell up and seize the shaft.
Damage can occur if the sealing fluid is at the inside diameter of the seal face.
This happens with non-metallic, outside mounted seals, and the inner seal of rotating, back to back dual seal designs. The internal pressure will cause the materials to go into tensile stress. Most seal faces are strong in compression, but weak in tension. Solids will be thrown into the faces causing abrasive wear. This is a common failure in back to back rotating dual seal designs.