Auxiliary Sealing: A Key Element in Mechanical Engineering

Auxiliary sealing is an important concept in mechanical engineering. The following is a detailed introduction to auxiliary sealing:

1. Definition

Auxiliary sealing refers to sealing components other than the main seal. In mechanical seals, the sealing element composed of the end faces of two annular parts (moving ring and stationary ring) that are mutually attached and slide relative to each other is called the main seal, while the other sealing elements are collectively referred to as auxiliary seals.

2. Function

The main function of auxiliary sealing is:

a. Prevent leakage between the dynamic and static rings and the pressure cover.

b. Compensate for the deviation and vibration of the sealing surface to ensure a good fit of the sealing surface.

3. Materials

The materials used for auxiliary sealing usually have a certain degree of elasticity to meet the requirements of sealing and compensation. Common auxiliary sealing materials include:

a. Synthetic rubber: With good elasticity and wear resistance, it is the preferred material for auxiliary sealing.

b. Polytetrafluoroethylene: It has excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, and is suitable for some special working conditions.

c. Flexible graphite: It has self-lubricating properties and high temperature stability, suitable for high temperature and high pressure environments.

d. Metal gasket: Although not as commonly used as elastic materials, it can also be used in certain special situations.

4. Shape and Classification

There are various shapes of auxiliary seals, such as flat gaskets, O-rings, V-rings, U-rings, etc. Among them:

a. Flat gasket: mainly used for static sealing.

b. O-ring: It can be used for both sliding and static sealing.

c. V-rings and U-rings: mainly suitable for sealing sliding parts.

5. Application and maintenance

a. Application: Auxiliary sealing is widely used in various mechanical equipment, such as pumps, compressors, valves, etc., to ensure the sealing performance and operational stability of the equipment.

b. Maintenance: To ensure the normal operation of the auxiliary seal, regular maintenance and upkeep are required. This includes checking the wear of seals, cleaning sealing surfaces, replacing damaged seals, etc. At the same time, attention should also be paid to avoiding excessive load, maintaining the cleanliness and lubrication of the sealing surface, etc.

In summary, auxiliary seals play an important role in mechanical engineering, and the selection of materials, shapes, and application scenarios needs to be determined based on specific working conditions and equipment requirements. By reasonable selection and maintenance, the sealing performance and operational stability of the equipment can be ensured.