Experimental study on the hydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of magnetofluid film in a spiral groove mechanical seal

This work presents an experimental study on the lubrication characteristics of the magnetofluid film in a spiral groove mechanical seal to reveal how the magnetic field affects the hydrodynamic effect of magnetofluid. The experiments are carried out based on the non-contact mechanical seal experimental rig and the influences of the magnetic field intensity and the rotational speed on the film thickness, friction torque, characteristic temperature and magnetofluid depletion are investigated experimentally. By numerically analyzing the film pressure distribution, it is revealed that the hydrodynamic pressure increases with the increasing magnetic field intensity. Using an appropriate closing force, it is feasible to control the seal capacity of the seal by regulating the current intensity in the magnetic field generator.