A Model for Mechanical Seals with Regular Microsurface Structure

A mathematical model is developed to allow performance prediction of all-liquid noncontacting mechanical seals with regular microsurface structure in the form of hemispherical pores. Seal performance such as the 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 found that depends on the other variables and corresponds to maximum axial stiffness and minimum friction torque. Also, a critical pore size is found above which seal failure is possible.