The effect of ring deflection and heat transfer on the thermoelastic instability of rotating face seals

• Published in: Wear Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 121 - 133
• Main Author: Lebeck, A.O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.1980
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/0043-1648(80)90274-4

Unstable pressure and temperature variations are sometimes produced when one elastic body slides in contact with another body. The prediction of the onset of such instabilities has been made for certain idealized shapes such as two semi-infinite plates sliding on edge. The configuration of a mechanical seal is somewhat different. Ring-type elastic deflection must be considered in addition to the thermal contact resistance between the faces. On the basis of these considerations an approximate model is developed. The results show that, at a low number of waves, ring deflections predominate and greatly increase the speed at which instability begins. In contrast with the results for semi-infinite plates there is a number of waves below which instability is precluded. Increased thermal contact resistance lowers the critical speed. Some agreement with experimental results was found. The effects of ring deflection and contact resistance are large and a careful interpretation of these factors must be made. Refinements in the model and further experimental results are needed.