XP

Seals

Face Preparation
There are several differences between the
preparation of XP & AT faces
Pre-Pressurisation More Common
Polishing Techniques
Carbons are Coated on Back Face

Pre-Pressurisation
The Operating Pressure Determines the
Need for Pre-Pressurisation
Pre-Pressurisation Produces an Initial
Distortion on the Face Which can Then be
Polished out Prior to Test
Pre-Pressurisation is Carried out in the rig
Shown Below. Alternatively it can be
Completed in the Test Cell

Pre-Pressurisation
Criteria

Polishing
Due to the Geometry of the XP carbon it is Often Necessary
to Polish the Carbon as Shown Below

O Ring to
Prevent Face
Polishing
Concave

LOAD

DFSM Spray
With the XP Design it was Found That as
the Carbon Collapsed Under Pressure Some
Frictional Problems Were Present Between
the Back of the Face & the Polymer Seal
To Overcome This Problem a
Compound Know as DFSM
Spray is Sprayed onto the
Back of the Face
The Spray is
Used as an
Aerosol &
Must be Used
in a Well
Ventilated
Area

The Spray Coats the Back of

the Face With a Grey Compound
This Coating
MUST be
Smooth & Flat

XPs & ATs

AT

Thrust
Ring

XP

O Rings

Carrier

Polymer
Seals

XPs & ATs

AT

Sliding Secondary Seal

XP

Sliding Balance Diameter

Polymer Seal Coding

2524/D27/570
Size Code
252.4 mm

Polymer Type
Behind Seat

Material Code
Glass TFM

Note : If Material Other Than 570 Glass TFM

is to be Used Contact Engineering at Slough

Polymer Seal Types & Coding

D25 - OD & ID
D27 - Behind Seat
D29 - Behind Face (retained)
F65 - Latched Balance Diameter
G82 - Retro-Fittable

Polymer Seal Types & Coding

D25

D29

F65
G82

D25

D27

Fitting Polymer Seals

As With all Gas Seal Components Firstly Check That Both the
Polymer Seal & Metal Part are Clean & Free From Damage
D27 - Behind Seat
Ensure That Polymer OD is Slotted. This Slot Allows
Pressure to be Released on Depressurisation

The Polymer Fits

Easily into the
Groove

Fitting Polymer Seals

D25 - Outside Diameter
Fit Polymers Before Assembling Seal
Polymers may Need Heating up
Polymers Will Need Easing Into Groove
After Cooling the Polymers Will Contract to Give a Secure fit
When Using a D25 in the Bore, fit as you Would an O Ring
After Fitting Ensure Polymers are Free From Damage

Fitting Polymer Seals

D25 - Under Spacer Sleeve
Fit Polymer Before Build for
Balance
Polymers Will Need Heating up
After Fitting Ensure Polymers are
Free From Damage

Cover Tolerance Strip Grooves

With Tape to Avoid Damaging
the Polymer
This Procedure is Laid Down
in WIGS1 Section F

Fitting Tool

Fitting Polymer Seals

Once the Polymer is Loosely
in the Groove Heat & Allow
to Cool Several Times Using
The Heat Gun
Once the Polymer Starts to
Fit the Groove Invert the
Spacer Sleeve & Lower
Over Main Sleeve
Again Using the Heat Gun
Heat The OD of the Spacer
Sleeve 2-3 Times
Leave for 30 Minutes
On Removing the Spacer Sleeve Check Polymer For Damage

Fitting Polymer Seals

D29 - Behind Face
The D29 Polymer is a Retained Design
Ensure Polymer is Fitted With the Red Mark Facing
Up
Fit Polymer According to WIGS1 Section K
It is
Essential
That the
Correct
Polymer
Stand Out is
Achieved

0.2 - 0.25 mm

Fitting Polymer Seals

F65 - Balance Diameter
The F65 Polymer is a Retained Design
The G82 is A Retro-fittable Version of the F65
The Retention lip
Prevents the Polymer
From Shrinking Under hot
Operating Conditions

Fitting Polymer Seals

Once the Polymer is Fitted the Assembly Must be
Placed in an Oven at 200 degrees C for 1 Hour
Before This is Done The Carrier is Placed in Position
Through the Back of the Retainer as Shown

After the Assembly has Cooled Down

the Seal Head Test is Carried out.
This Checks the Movement of the Seal
Head

Seal Head Testing

Seal Head Testing Ensures That the Polymer Seal is
Producing the Correct Amount of Axial Resistance on
the Carrier
Too Much Will Result in Hang-Up
Too Little Will Allow Leakage Blow By on Test

The Correct
Movement is Achieved
by Lightly Removing
Material From the ID
of the Polymer Seal
With Emery Paper
Seal Head Tester

Tools Required
The Assembly of an XP is Very Similar to That of an AT
Differences are:
No Grease Used on the Balance Diameter
Fitting Tool Needed for Fitting of Under Spacer Sleeve Polymer
Fitting Tool Needed for Assembly of Seal Head
Damage Will Occur to Polymers Without These Tools Being Used

Fitting Tools
Each Different Design
of Carrier & Sleeve
Must Have An Individual
Fitting Tool

Current Polymer
Fitting Tools

Testing XPs
The XP Seal by Design is More Robust Than the AT. It
Will Withstand Much Greater Pressures & a Much
Higher Decompression Rate.
The XP Seal is Very Sensitive to Slight Changes in
Pressure Particually at High Pressure,
A Small Drop in Pressure Will Result in A Leakage
Increase, Once the Pressure Rises Again the Leakage
Will Reduce
This is Referred to as Cycling
All Other Aspects of Testing are as With the AT

Testing XPs
On Completion of Test the Seals Undergo a Strip & Inspection
It is Essential to Strip the Seal Heads to Examine the
Carriers for Both Wear & Fretting
Fretting May be Reduced by Dynamically Balancing the Seals
Whilst in the Test Cell