Numerical Analysis the Tibological Performance of a Laser Surface Textured Mechanical Seal

This paper presents a numerical study of the effects of surface structure geometrical parameters on the tribological performance of a laser surface textured mechanical seal. Seal performance such as seal clearance which is corresponding to hydrodynamic effect and friction torque is calculated for a range of sealed pressures, dimples area density and dimple depth over dimple diameter ratio. The results indicated that laser surface textured mechanical seals substantially improve the tribological performance in the lower sealed pressure than in high pressure. Area density of dimples has little effect on the tribological performance, however, dimple depth over dimple diameter ratio has significant effect on the tribological performance.