Carbon and Graphite for Mechanical Seals

Material Grade Recommendations for Mechanical Seals Applications

Wet running Temperature average loads (typically < 10 MPa x m/s) up to 200 C for use with predominantly neutral to acidic medium Manufacture small-sized and unit production up to 205 mm high volume production tooldependent up to 60 mm Material* EK 2100 synthetic resin impregnated carbon graphite EK 2230 pressed-to-size carbon graphite synthetic resin impregnated

Application examples standard mechanical seals, e. g. in mechanical engineering and for chemical pumps automotive cooling water pumps, household appliances oil burner pumps

RIDURID V 1774 carbon- and graphitefilled synthetic resin (pxv 5 MPa x m/s) EK 3105 antimony impregnated carbon

up to 550 C (in oxidised atmosphere up to 400 C) for use with predominantly neutral to alkaline medium

small-sized and unit production up to 205 mm high volume production tooldependent up to 60 mm

standard mechanical seals, e. g. in mechanical engineering and for chemical pumps

EK 3235 antimony impregnated carbon graphite EK 2239 pressed-to-size carbon graphite all carbon (acidic to alkaline medium, temperature up to 400 C) EK 2200 synthetic resin impregnated carbon

process seals, fuel pumps, cooling compressors dishwasher pumps, automotive cooling water pumps

Highest load (typically > 10 MPa x m/s)

up to 200 C for predominantly neutral to acidic medium up to 550 C (in oxidising atmosphere up to 400 C) for predominantly neutral to alkaline medium

standard dimensions up to 550 mm

mechanical seals, e. g. for feed water pumps in power stations mechanical seals; e. g. for compressors

EK 3205 antimony impregnated carbon graphite

Dry running Temperature up to 200 C Manufacture standard dimensions up to 550 mm Material* EK 2240 synthetic resin impregnated carbon graphite EK 3245 synthetic resin impregnated carbon graphite Application examples mechanical seals; e. g. for agitators mechanical seals; e. g. for autoclaves

up to 550 C (in oxidising atmosphere up to 400 C)

* Proof of gas tightness available on request for all materials. Certificates for use in the food industry are available. 1

Carbon and Graphite by SGL CARBON

Applications
Carbon and graphite materials are used in mechanical seals in cases where gases or liquids with low hydrodynamic lubricating action have to be sealed.

Fields of application
fuel pumps chemical pumps process pumps in refineries seals for agitators and autoclaves cold and hot water pumps pumps for household and garden appliances automobile cooling water pumps heat-removal loop pumps in nuclear power stations pumps for the beverages industry

Tribological Behaviour
Friction
Friction depends on surface finish of the mating surfaces rubbing speed specific loading type and quantity of lubricating medium The following coefficients of friction () can be assumed as a guide: Wet running: = 0.01 - 0.05 Mixed running: = 0.05 - 0.10 Dry running: = 0.1 - 0.25

Preferred counterface materials

grey cast iron chromium cast chrome steel aluminium oxide tungsten carbide silicon carbide carbon

Wear rates as a function of the counterface material, using EK 2230 and EK 3235 at a steady rubbing speed of 4.4 m/s and steady medium pressure of 10 bar for different counterface materials (chromium cast, aluminium oxide and silicon carbide). Medium: demineralized water

Wear (m/100 h) 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 EK 2230 Cr cast Al oxide Si carbide

EK 3235

EK 2230

EK 3235

EK 2230

EK 3235

Service life
It is difficult to give expected wear figures as in practise many factors have to be considered, for example: mating materials rubbing speed loading surface finish of mating surfaces presence of solid impurities in the medium being sealed operating conditions Wear rates as a function of the rubbing speed against carbide materials, taking as examples EK 2200 () and EK 3205 (--) at a steady rubbing speed of 9 m/s and increasing load. Medium: demineralised water.

TUNGSTEN CARBIDE
Wear (m/h) 10 1 0.1 0.01 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 specific loading (N/mm2)

SILICON CARBIDE
Wear (m/h) 10 1 0.1 0.01 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 specific loading (N/mm2)

Manufacture
Can be supplied with a variety of surface finish. If the application permits, bearing in mind economy and in view of manufacturing costs, storage and packaging as well as handling in subsequent assembly, the following maximum surface finish criteria should be considered.

Surface flatness of rubbing faces* Diameter in mm < 75 75150 150225 > 225 Number of light bands 2 3 5 8

1 light band = 0.297 m, * measured using interference test equipment

Good surface flatness

Poor surface flatness

Tolerances and dimensions according to manufacturing process and typical batch sizes Mechanical seals pressed-to-size carbon graphite mechanical seals Manufacture tool-dependent manufacture for large-batch production up to 60 x 25 mm standard material-dependent manufacture for large batches using the familiar process of plastics forming (injection moulding, hot pressing) machining of small quantities up to 550 mm Economic batch sizes beginning at 5,000 units Tolerances tolerances + 0.5 % of the nominal size simple to average complex geometries tolerances from IT 9 are achievable possible without any limitation on the geometry

RIDURID and graphite-filled plastic mechanical seals

beginning at 10,000 units

Carbon graphite mechanical seals

1 5,000 units

tolerance from IT 6 are are achieved

All of the above forming processes, offer significant savings when the special features of carbon and graphite materials are considered at the design phase. Take advantage of SGL CARBONs technical support at the design phase.

This information is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses. It should not therefore be construed as guaranteeing specific properties of the products described or their suitability for a particular application. Any existing industrial property rights must be observed. The quality of our products is guaranteed under our General Conditions of Sale. 02 02/3E Printed in Germany

Graphite Specialties Business Unit SGL CARBON GmbH Werk Ringsdorff Drachenburgstrae 1 D-53170 Bonn Phone: +49 (228) 841-394 Fax: +49 (228) 841-456 Internet: www.sglcarbon.com