Research of shaft seals made of porous wire «metal rubber» material

The possibility of using elastic porous elements made of "metallic rubber" (MR) as rotor seals is discussed in the paper. The technology of manufacturing of such elements is developed for the mechanical damping of vibration in mechanical systems where they are widely used. Comparative analysis of rating curves of labyrinth, honeycomb, brush seals and seals made of MR material has shown that seals made of MR material have better rating curves than labyrinth and honeycomb seals, but slightly worse ones than those of the brush design. Therefore, the use of porous MR material shows promise for making parts of the seals for gas or oil cavities of rotors. Seals made of MR material are designed for optimum performance in the most demanding aerospace sealing applications where high speed and vibration are the norm, and where axial shaft movement takes place. An installation imitating conditions of using rotor seals is designed for the purpose of analyzing seals made with the use of MR material.