Study of wear and friction heat generation models of finger seals based on energy theory of tribology system

Abstract

Finger seals have a good application prospect in gas and steam turbine for power generation as an advanced contact flexible seal. The wear and friction heat generation properties of the finger seal have significant effects on leakage and life. In this study, a bilateral wear model and friction heat generation model were established to calculate the wear volume and temperature of the finger seal and rotor. In particular, the friction heat generation model considered the effect of wear and deformation (centrifugal and thermal) of both the finger seal and rotor. Both models were expressed as functions of the finger seal configuration, material properties, operating conditions, and several relevant parameters. To determine these parameters, a ball-disk friction and wear experiment and a finger seal wear and friction heat generation experiment were conducted. Both models were validated with experimental data, and both errors were less than 12%.