Experimental study of two-phase mechanical face Seals with laser surface texturing

Abstract

Two-phase mechanical face seals with laser surface texturing (LST) on their end faces were investigated using a test rig with a transparent rotating ring. Cavitation occurred in some of the dimples and annular vaporization regions attached to the dimples were observed. The speed limit of the LST seals with suitable parameters was obviously higher than that of a seal with a plain end face, while those with sub-optimal LST parameters exhibited a lower speed limit. These results reveal that LST shows potential in two-phase mechanical face seals, but the LST parameters should be carefully considered.