An axial elastic deformation of ceramets on elastohydrodynamic lubrication of wavy-tilt-dam mechanical face seals

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the lubrication characteristics of siliconized graphite with a wavy-tilt-dam (WTD) pattern applied to the hydrodynamic face seals. Design/methodology/approach It focuses on two friction pairs, carbon graphite versus tungsten carbide (CG-TC) and siliconized graphite versus siliconized graphite (SG-SG), through a three-dimensional elastic hydrodynamic lubrication numerical model that integrates finite difference method and finite element method. The consequence of axial elastic deformation of sealing pair materials on film thickness, film pressure, cavitation and sealing performance for a WTD mechanical face seal under full working conditions of ΔP = 0.8, 5.3 and 15.8 MPa are analyzed theoretically. Findings The nuclear hydrodynamic WTD face seal generates a convergent gap and exhibits a dual-characteristic behavior of hydrodynamic and hydrostatic effects under various ΔP . Compared to the CG-TC, the SG-SG shows a lower minimum film thickness, decreasing by 3.9%, 17.3% and 35.1%. The flow leakage rate decreases by 47.8%, 52.1% and 75.4%. In addition, the film stiffness increases by 46.8%, 49.8% and 97.8%. Thus, the SG-SG better deals with the dynamic tracking problem, and the sealing performance is stable. The strength and hardness of siliconized graphite enhance WTD sealing performance and improve cavitation control in high-pressure applications. Originality/value The lubrication characteristics of the siliconized graphite with a WTD pattern could inform the future design of hydrodynamic shallow groove wavy seals in boiler feedwater engineering implements under high-pressure conditions for the nuclear power industry. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2024-0382/