A valve body and seal assembly comprises a valve body having one or more
circumferential seal retention grooves and a dual-durometer elastomeric
seal cast-in-place in at least one groove. Each seal comprises first and
second sections in contact along a substantially non-planar intra-seal
interface. First seal sections typically comprise polyurethane having a
higher modulus than the polyurethane typically comprising second seal
sections. Residual elastomer shrinkage stress present after curing of a
cast-in-place dual-durometer elastomeric seal is redistributed within the
seal sections to maintain beneficial preload. Seal configurations
described herein are also associated with decreased shear-related
elastomer fatigue and extrusion damage associated with repeated valve
seat impact. Valve service life is increased by beneficial preload
maintained by the synergistic interaction of first and second seal
sections.