The importance of carbon in mechanical sealing

Why should you go for carbon mechanical seal ? This article is going to be your guide in showing you the importance of carbon and how it is applied in the mechanical seal. Because it's cost-efficient, has lubricating and sluggish features, carbon is therefore used as a face in very many seal applications. Due to the affordability of carbon, it will help you in purchasing the carbon mechanical seal sooner rather than later.

A system's success or downfall mainly depends on the type of mechanical face seal that you are applying, for best results you can be assured that the carbon mechanical seal will do the job just right. The arrangement of carbon in a mechanical face seal totally depends on the type of the mechanical seal. For instance, in one, the initial ring of carbon will be placed inside the adapter while in another, the carbon apparatuses will be placed in a seal head. Different seals sometimes apply Carbon as a loose module which is mixed with a retainer, or disk and a minor seal like O-ring.

The following are the importance of carbon in mechanical sealing.

Firstly, systems that involve mechanical face seals require a lot of attention since there is the need for ensuring the contact between two faces, one which is rotating and the other is stationary. This is where the carbon comes in, it aids in maintaining the union of these two seals so that there is continuity of the systems in place. Since it is impossible to avoid contact between the two faces, the carbon mechanical seal that is used in the system assists in the lubrication of the seals to avert damages and later on leakages.

Secondly, some studies have shown that carbon has almost eight allotropes but only two of them are important to you right now, these are, amorphous and graphite. There are also other three groups of mechanical carbon which are applied in seals, they include, additives, binder, and filler. Each contributes a certain percentage to the seal. When it comes to the mixture of these categories, the decision lies with the company, but as a result, the mixture usually deals with unique conditions that are for maintaining the stability of the interface. The amazing thing is that combination of the three, usually serve more than one condition, this means that in case a carbon mechanical seal requires a condition that is crucial the mixture will always do the magic.

Thirdly, there is usually a microscopic transfer film that is as a result of carbon been scrubbed against metal. The role that this film plays is been able to control the temperature rise which is caused by the dryness of the interface during rubbing.

Fourthly, the different forms of carbon combine to bring about resistance in wear and friction in the seal. It plays a role of increasing the lifetime of the system involved. Carbon mechanical seal is a very vital seal face for mitigating wider conditions in a mechanical seal system.

Fifthly, in the manufacture of materials required for carbon which are to be used in mechanical seals, a process called tribology is acquired. This is because it involves a mixture of carbon materials with other distinctive elements. The good news about this is that tribology in some mechanical seals boosts the strength of the mechanical seal and also brings assurance and durability.

Lastly, carbon mixes with metals at extreme temperatures to form metallic carbides which are very critical in the hard surfaces of the mechanical seals. The carbides don't produce lubrication, therefore making them hard to go dry but they move well against carbon. This, in turn, results in rigidity and toughness of the seal. During heavy demand applications, the materials issue a desirable capability by inventing a material which is firm and steady that runs in lesser lubricated circumstances. 

  Concluded from the above points, carbon does play an important role in mechanical sealing. View from the current market demand, the carbon mechanical seals are winning over more customers owing to its properties that most other seals don’t have.