Ossining, New York – Metallized Carbon Corp., a manufacturer of oil-free, self-lubricating, mechanical carbon-graphite materials for severe service lubrication applications, offers a variety of materials for aerospace gearbox applications, which run hydraulic pumps, generators, and air conditioning compressors. Metcar materials feature a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties in a high speed environment, making them a 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. Metcar materials use dynamic lift-off to reduce seal face wear and friction, are impermeable, and support the dynamic film used.
Metcar M-45’s thermal conductivity gives it the ability to maintain lower seal face temperatures. Other grades, including antimony-impregnated Metcar Grade M-346 and carbon-impregnated Metcar Grade M-133, are frequently used in gearbox seals to avoid seal face blistering or to improve the seals’ resistance to coking.
Self-lubricating mechanical carbon materials withstand the high speed and limited lubrication environments found in aircraft gearboxes and are formulated to minimize problems associated with seal face wear, frictional heat, blistering, and coking, especially at temperatures higher than 400°F (204°C).
Source: Metallized Carbon Corp.