Numerical Analysis on Tribological Properties of Mechanical Seals with a Laser-Textured Face

An analytical model is developed to study the effects of operation conditions and micro-pore geometry parameters on the friction performance of the mechanical seals with a laser-textured micro-pore face. Seal opening forces at various operation conditions and micro-pore geometry parameters are obtained from the solution of the Reynolds equation by the finite difference method. A derivative expression of the friction torque of the mechanical seals with a laser-textured micro-pore face is calculated and contributing factors of the friction torque are analyzed. It is shown that fiction torque increases with increase of the rotating speed. An optimum pore size that corresponds to minimum friction torque is found and is consistent with experimental results.