DO YOU KNOW THE KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE SEALING PERFORMANCE OF FILLERS

In the industrial field, as a common sealing method, filler sealing is widely used in various mechanical equipment to prevent fluid or gas leakage. However, the performance of the filler seal is not fixed, but is affected by many factors. Understanding these key factors is essential to optimize the effect of packing sealing and improve the operation efficiency and reliability of equipment.

First of all, the filler material is one of the important factors affecting the sealing performance. Different materials have different physical and chemical properties, such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance and self-lubrication. For example, graphite fillers have good high temperature resistance and self-lubrication properties, suitable for high temperature, high pressure and high-speed working conditions; while asbestos fiber fillers have good corrosion resistance and are often used for sealing corrosive media. To choose the appropriate packing material, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as the nature of the sealing medium, working temperature, pressure and the rotation speed of the shaft.

The tightness of the filler is also a key factor. If the compression force is too small, the contact between the filler and the shaft or sleeve is not close enough, which can easily lead to leakage; on the contrary, if the compression force is too large, it will increase the wear of the shaft or sleeve, reduce the service life of the equipment, and also increase the friction at the seal, resulting in increased energy consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to reasonably adjust the pressure of the filler according to the specific working conditions and sealing requirements.

The surface roughness of the shaft also has a significant impact on the sealing performance of the packing. If the surface of the shaft is too rough, it will increase the wear of the filler and shorten its service life; if the surface of the shaft is too smooth, it will lead to insufficient friction between the filler and the shaft, which will affect the sealing effect. Generally speaking, the surface roughness of the shaft should be controlled within a certain range to ensure good sealing performance and low wear.

The nature of the sealing medium cannot be ignored. The temperature, pressure, corrosion and viscosity of the medium will affect the performance of the filler seal. High-temperature media may cause the aging and deformation of the filler, thus reducing the sealing effect; the high-pressure medium will increase the possibility of leakage and require higher compression force and better quality filler; the corrosive medium will erode the filler, causing it to lose its sealing function; the high viscosity medium is easy to accumulate in the seal, affecting the normal operation of the seal.

In addition, the rotation speed of the shaft is also an important factor affecting the sealing performance of the packing. The higher the rotation speed, the more serious the friction and heat between the filler and the shaft, which will not only accelerate the wear of the filler, but also lead to the failure of the seal. Therefore, in high-speed rotating equipment, it is necessary to use specially designed fillers or other sealing methods that are more suitable for high-speed conditions.

The size and shape of the filler will also have an impact on the sealing performance. Reasonable filler size and shape can ensure the close cooperation between fillers and form an effective sealing barrier. At the same time, the correct packing method is also very important. It is necessary to ensure the even distribution of the filling to avoid void gaps or excessive local pressure.

The installation accuracy and maintenance level of the equipment are also directly related to the performance of the filler seal. If the shaft is different from the packing box when installed, and the straightness deviation of the shaft is too large, it will affect the sealing effect. Regular maintenance, such as timely replacement of worn fillers, adjustment of compression force, etc., can ensure that the packing seal is always in a good working state.

In summary, there are many factors that affect the sealing performance of the filler, including the filler material, the compression force, the surface roughness of the shaft, the nature of the sealing medium, the rotation speed of the shaft, the size and shape of the filler, the installation accuracy of the equipment and the maintenance level, etc. In practical application, only by fully considering these factors and taking corresponding measures for optimization and control can we ensure the best performance of the filler seal and provide a reliable guarantee for the stable operation of the equipment.

Through in-depth understanding and mastery of these key factors, engineering and technical personnel can design, install and maintain the filling seal system more scientifically and reasonably, improve the sealing reliability of the equipment, reduce the risk of leakage, so as to improve production efficiency, reduce energy waste, protect the environment, and extend the service life of the equipment for industrial students. It makes important contributions to the efficiency, safety and sustainable development of production.