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Tribology Application of Unpreloaded Mechanical Seal in Presence of MGS-1 Regolith
Abstract:
This study investigates the tribological performance of a dry-running mechanical face seal composed of a graphite rotating ring and a silicon carbide stationary ring under zero spring preload (SP0, 0 MPa), both in clean conditions and in the presence of Martian regolith simulant (MGS-1, particle size < 80 µm). Without preload, the contact between the seal faces relied solely on the intrinsic flatness of the components and the minimal assembly force. Under clean operation, the frictional torque exhibited an initial transient phase followed by a stable regime at approximately 0.017 Nm, indicating a low and steady frictional state characteristic of graphite–SiC pairs. After around 17 hours, the torque slightly increased to ~0.021 Nm, suggesting gradual surface adaptation or mild wear, yet maintaining stable operation throughout the 24-hour test. When exposed to the fine MGS-1 regolith, the torque increased markedly to ~0.070 Nm initially and gradually decreased to ~0.064 Nm, reflecting a polishing effect of entrained particles under minimal contact pressure. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed negligible damage on the SiC surface and only shallow grooves and embedded particles on the graphite ring, evidencing mild three-body abrasion. These results demonstrate that, although zero preload reduces sealing pressure and potential sealing integrity, it enables highly stable and low-energy operation with minimal wear when particulate ingress is limited. The findings suggest that under Martian-like dusty conditions, a near-zero preload configuration may provide a favorable balance between friction stability and material preservation in low-pressure sealing applications.
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25-32
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August 2026
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© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved
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