Sealing performance in a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 14 June 2023
Issue publication date: 27 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Magnetic fluid has excellent function used as lubricants in bearings and mechanical seals, and the purpose of this study is to investigate the sealing performance in a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid.
Design/methodology/approach
The sealing characteristic parameters of the lubricating film between the end faces of two sealing rings were calculated based on the Muijderman narrow groove theory for a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid. The film thickness was determined according to the balanced forces on the rotating ring, and the effects of operating conditions, intensity of the magnetic field and diameter of nanoparticles on the sealing characteristics were investigated.
Findings
It has been found that the intensity of magnetic field has a great effect on the viscosity of magnetic fluid, film thickness and friction torque while has a little effect on the mass flux of magnetic fluid. The film thickness, mass flux of magnetic fluid and friction torque increase with the increasing volume fraction, rotating speed and diameter of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic fluid. The mass flux of magnetic fluid decrease with the increasing closing force, and the friction torque decreases with the increase of media pressure.
Originality/value
The change of intensity of magnetic field can affect the viscosity of magnetic fluid and then changes the sealing performance in a mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid. To reduce the mass flux of magnetic fluid and friction torque, the volume fraction, diameter of solid magnetic particles and film thickness should be 5%–7%, 8–10 nm and 2–9.3 µm, respectively.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2023-0032/
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by QingLan Project of Jiangsu Province of China, the 5th “333” High-Level Talents Cultivation Project of Jiangsu Province of China (BRA2020321), and Scientific Research Beidou Plan (Version 2.0) of Nanjing Polytechnic Instiute of China (NJPI-2022-07).
Citation
Zhang, P., Feng, F., Feng, X. and Wei, L. (2023), "Sealing performance in a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 75 No. 5, pp. 619-627. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-02-2023-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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