Experimental Evaluation of Abradable Seal Performance at High Temperature

Abradable seals have been used in aero-engines and land-based gas turbines for more than three decades. They are applied to various sections of the engine in order to reduce gas leakage by optimizing the gap between rotating and stationary parts. This optimization represents a significant increase in efficiency and decrease in fuel consumption. Performance evaluation of any abradable seal includes measurement of its mechanical properties, abradability tests and (ultimately) tests in engines. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on the rub performance of abradable seals. A series of experiments has been carried out in order to evaluate a commercially available seal material at different operating conditions. The effect of operating temperature on contact force, abrasion scar appearance and blade wear is examined and analyzed. A microstructural analysis of the rub scar has also been performed.Copyright © 2008 by National Research Council of Canada