To investigate the tribological interaction and wear mechanisms of polytetrafluoroethylene-lined radial lip oil seals in service, a sleeve, seal and lubricant sample taken off a rotating rig are studied. The test was terminated at 72 h, after severe leakage in the final 15 h of the test. All three components are studied using a coherence scanning interferometer and environmental scanning electron microscopy to investigate wear after testing. Results show a wear band on the aerospace grade case-hardened sleeve, appearing as a ‘polished in’ area by the seal. A study of the filler content of the polytetrafluoroethylene coating uncover glass fibres, calcium carbonate, carbon and graphite layers present, assumed responsible for the wear to the sleeve. The polytetrafluoroethylene coating is a 300 μm coating, distinct from the bulk elastomer. This finding is confirmed after observing this layer on both, the tested and new seal lip. Wear of the seal lip is measured and facilitated by comparison to the identical new seal. Lastly, debris from the seal and sleeve wear are found in the lubricant sample.

为了研究使用中的衬有聚四氟乙烯的径向唇形油封的摩擦学相互作用和磨损机理，研究了从旋转钻机上取下的套筒，密封件和润滑剂样品。在最后15小时的测试中出现严重泄漏后，测试在72小时后终止。使用相干扫描干涉仪和环境扫描电子显微镜对这三个组件进行了研究，以研究测试后的磨损。结果显示，航空级表壳硬化套筒上有一条磨损带，被密封圈打磨成“抛光”区域。对聚四氟乙烯涂层的填料含量进行研究后，发现存在玻璃纤维，碳酸钙，碳和石墨层，并认为这是造成套筒磨损的原因。聚四氟乙烯涂层是300μm的涂层，与本体弹性体不同。在测试的和新的密封唇上都观察到这一层后，这一发现得到了证实。通过与相同的新密封件进行比较，可以测量并简化密封件唇的磨损。最后，在润滑剂样品中发现了密封件和套筒磨损产生的碎屑。