Material Optimization Method for a Spring-Energized Seal Based on Wear Analysis

Spring-energized seals demonstrate good sealing performance over a wide range of pressures and temperatures and can compensate for installation eccentricity, high-temperature aging, etc. However, as a contact seal, its polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) jacket material is easily worn during the rotation of the end face, which leads to a decline in sealing performance and, ultimately, seal failure. Based on the Archard wear model, a performance prediction model of the spring-energized seal was established by combining tests and numerical analyses. In order to improve the tribological performance of spring-energized seals made of PTFE, varied fillers were added to modify the PTFE, and the tribological and mechanical properties of PTFE composites with varied fillers were measured in experiments. Using a performance prediction model for spring-energized seals, the variation in the friction performance of seals made of these filled PTFEs during the operating cycle was analyzed. The results showed that the performance prediction model can accurately simulate this variation. After a certain amount of wear, the deviation between the simulated data and the experimental data was within ±5%. Compared with spring-energized seals made of pure PTFE, the friction torque of spring-energized seals made of GF/PTFE was reduced by 28.97% at most, and the friction torque reduction rate was lowered by 22.25%.