Abstract: A system for rotary shaft seals with improved performance with respect to the maximum pressure differential before burst through occurs. The seals exploit discretely or in combination enhanced mechanical geometries, such as helical shaft elements or helical projection outer bodies, and reinforced magnetorheological greases which enclose the shaft providing a seal between the shaft and the permanent magnets within the seal. The reinforced magnetorheological greases comprise a semisolid lubricant, a magnetorheological fluid, and macro-magnetizable particles.