Metallized Carbon Corp. offers a variety of materials suitable for in aerospace gearbox applications, which run the hydraulic pumps, generators, and air conditioning compressors. These materials feature a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties in a high speed environment, making them a suitable choice for aircraft gearbox face seals.
To seal the oil lubricant within the gearbox and protect it from leaking where shafts enters and exits, most aircraft gearboxes use face seals, which usually contain a carbon-graphite stationary ring and a silicon carbide or stainless steel rotating ring. These materials can be used for today’s gearbox seal face designs, which use dynamic “lift-off” to reduce seal face wear and friction. All materials are impermeable and thus able to support the dynamic film used.
M-45 features excellent thermal conductivity, which gives it the ability to maintain lower seal face temperatures. Other grades, including antimony-impregnated Grade M-346 and carbon-impregnated Grade M-133, are frequently used in gearbox seals to avoid seal face blistering or to improve the seals’ resistance to coking.
