A MODEL FOR MECHANICAL SEALS WITH REGULAR MICROSURFACE STRUCTURE

A mathematical model is developed to allow performance prediction of a ll-liquid noncontacting mechanical seals with regular microsurface str ucture in the form of hemispherical pores. Seal performance such as th e equilibrium face separation, friction torque and leakage across the seal are calculated and presented for a range of sealed pressure, pore size and pore ratio of ring surface area. An optimum pore size is fou nd that depends on the other variables and corresponds to maximum axia l stiffness and minimum friction torque. Also, a critical pore size is found above which seal failure is possible.