1 Full Contact Pattern 2 Coning (Negative Rotation)

OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
Typical and desired contact Heavy contact on the mating
pattern for a mechanical seal. ring pattern at the outside
Full contact on both mating diameter of the seal. Fades
ring and primary ring surface away to no visible contact at
through 360°. Little or no the inside diameter of contact
measurable wear on either pattern. Possible edge chipping
seal ring. on the outside diameter of
primary ring.
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
Seal drips steadily whether shaft
is rotating or stationary. Fails Little or no leakage at high
allowable emission limits. pressure. Leaks steadily at
low pressures.
POSSIBLE CAUSES POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Secondary seals nicked or scratched on installation. 1. Faces not flat due to pressure.
2. Damaged or porous secondary seal surfaces. 2. Faces not flat.
3. Compression set of o-rings. Incorrect lapping.
4. Chemical attack of secondary seals.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES Deflection of primary ring
5. Not a low emission seal or arrangement. due to pressure
1. Check for over-pressurization
6. Materials not conducive to low emissions. of seal.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES 2. Check flatness of lapped parts.
1. Replace secondary seals.
2. Check secondary sealing surfaces.
3. Check with seal manufacturer for proper materials.
4. Check for proper lead in chamfers, burrs, etc.
5. Change seal to low emission design, materials or arrangement.

3 Thermal Distortion
(Positive Rotation) 4 Mechanical Distortion
OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
Heavy contact on the mating Two large contact spots on
ring pattern at the inside mating ring pattern fades away
diameter of the seal. Fades between contact areas. 360°
away to no visible contact at contact on primary ring.
the outside diameter of contact
SYMPTOM
pattern. Possible edge chipping
Seal leaks steadily when shaft is
on the inside diameter of the
rotating or stationary.
primary ring.
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSES
Seal leaks steadily when shaft 1. Mechanical distortion.
is rotating. Usually no leakage 2. Faces not flat.
when shaft is stationary.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
POSSIBLE CAUSES 1. Check for gland plate distortion due to over-torquing of bolts.
1. Thermal distortion of 2. Check squareness of parts used to hold mating ring in place.
Deflection of mating or primary ring
seal faces. 3. Check seal chamber face flatness of split case pumps.
due to temperature
2. Faces not flat. 4. Check the gland plate surface in contact with the mating ring.
Incorrect lapping. Must be free of nicks and burrs. Surface must show full pattern
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES when blued with mating ring.
1. Improve cooling to seal.
2. Consult seal manufacturer for proper materials.
3. Check flatness of lapped parts
5 Mechanical Distortion 6 Mechanical Distortion
OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
Uneven circumferential Mating ring shows intermittent
contact spots on mating contacting and non-contacting
ring, pattern fades away areas. High spots are at each
between contact areas. bolt location. 360° contact on
360° contact on primary ring. primary ring.
SYMPTOM SYMPTOM
Seal leaks steadily when shaft Seal leaks steadily when shaft is
is rotating or stationary. rotating or stationary.
POSSIBLE CAUSES POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Mechanical distortion. 1. Mechanical distortion.
2. Faces not flat. 2. Faces not flat.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
1. Check for gland plate distortion 1. Check for gland distortion due to over-torquing of bolts.
due to over-torquing of bolts. 2. Change to softer gasket materials between seal chamber
2. Check squareness of parts and gland plate.
used to hold mating ring in place. 3. Provide full face gasket contact or contact above centerline
3. Check seal chamber face flatness of split case pumps. of bolts to prevent bending of gland plate.
4. Check the gland plate surface in contact with the mating ring.
Must be free of nicks and burrs. Surface must show full pattern
when blued with mating ring.

7 High Wear or Thermally

Distressed Surface 8 Section of Thermally
Distressed Surface
OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
High wear of mating ring or Thermally distressed area
thermally distressed surface approximately 1/3 of the
(heat checking) through 360°. contact pattern. Distressed
High primary ring wear with area 180° from inlet of seal
carbon deposits on atmosphere flush. High primary ring wear
side of seal. Possible edge with possible carbon deposits
chipping of primary ring. on atmosphere side of seal
SYMPTOM SYMPTOM
Seal leaks steadily when shaft is Seal drips steadily when shaft is rotating or stationary.
rotating or stationary. Sound from Possible sound from flashing or face popping
flashing or face popping.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
POSSIBLE CAUSES 1. Sealed liquid vaporizing 180° from seal flush.
1. Sealed liquid vaporizing at seal interface. 2. Overloaded seal faces.
2. Overloaded seal faces. 3. Inadequate flush distributed around seal faces.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
1. Check seal chamber pressure for adequate vapor 1. Check seal chamber pressure for adequate vapor
pressure margin. pressure margin.
2. Check seal setting for proper working height. 2. Check seal setting for proper working height.
3. Check for proper running clearances between shaft 3. Check for proper running clearances between shaft
and primary ring at operating temperature. and primary ring at operating temperature.
4. Review flush system design; increase flush flow rate. 4. Review flush system design; increase flush flow rate.
5. Review details of seal selection. 5. Review details of seal selection.
6. Use distributed flush design instead of single point flush.
 9 Patches of Thermally
Distressed Surface
OBSERVATION
One or more patches of thermally
distressed surface (heat checking)
on mating ring. High primary
ring wear with possible carbon
deposits on atmosphere side of
seal. Most likely to occur on low
specific gravity liquids at high
speeds and pressures.
SYMPTOM
Seal drips steadily when shaft is
rotating or stationary. Possible
sound from flashing or face popping.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Seal liquid vaporizing at seal
interface.
2. Overloaded seal faces.
3. Inadequate flush distributed around seal faces.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
1. Check seal chamber pressure for adequate vapor pressure margin.
2. Check seal setting for proper working height.
3. Check for proper running clearances between shaft and primary
ring at operating temperature.
4. Review flush system design; increase flush flow rate.
5. Review details of seal selection.
6. Use distributed flush design instead of single point flush.
7. Check for mating ring distortion.

10 High Wear and Grooving 11 Out-of-Square Mating Ring

OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
High wear of the mating Contact pattern through
ring. Primary ring has 360° slightly larger than
grooved the mating ring primary ring face width. High
evenly through 360°. spot may be present on the
SYMPTOM
mating ring opposite a drive
pin hole. Mating ring without
Seal drips steadily when shaft
static seals will rock or move
is rotating or stationary.
in gland plate.
POSSIBLE CAUSES SYMPTOM
1. Poor lubrication from liquid being sealed. Common when Seal does not leak when shaft
both seal faces are made of hard materials. is stationary. Leaks steadily
2. Abrasives are embedded in softer primary ring material. when rotating.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Increase cooling of seal faces. Mating surface is not square
2. Check procedures for lapping carbon primary ring. to shaft.
Do not use abrasives for lapping hard mating ring.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
3. Check for abrasive particles in the pumpage.
1. Check the gland plate surface
4. Check for dead-ended seal chamber. in contact with the mating ring. Must be free of nicks and burrs.
Surface must show full pattern when blued with mating ring.
2. Check for proper drive pin extension from gland plate.
3. Check shaft for proper alignment to be sure that it is not
passing through stuffing box at an angle.
4. Check for piping strain on pump casing.
12 Wide Contact Pattern 13 Eccentric Contact Pattern
OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
Contact pattern considerably wider Eccentric contact pattern on
on the mating ring than the face mating ring. Width of contact
width of the primary ring. equal to primary ring through
SYMPTOM
360°. No leakage if shaft has
not contacted inside diameter
Seal does not leak when shaft is
of mating ring.
stationary. Leaks steadily when rotating.
SYMPTOM
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Seal does not leak when shaft
1. Equipment bearing failure. is stationary. Leaks steadily
2. High shaft deflection whirl. when rotating.
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Check and/or replace bearing. 1. Misalignment of mating ring.
2. Check and determine if equipment is being operated
CORRECTIVE PROCEDURES
within specifications.
1. Check for proper clearances between gland plate and
3. Check and determine if shaft is bent.
seal chamber.
4. Check and determine if coupling has been properly aligned.
2. Check for proper mating ring design and clearances.
5. Check for piping strain on pump casing.
3. Check for proper concentricity between outside diameter
of shaft and inside diameter of seal chamber.