Mechanical deformation of ship stern-shaft mechanical face seals

In ship propeller shaft systems, the shaft seal is a mechanical face seal, which includes a stationary metal seal ring and a rotating ring. The seal faces are deformed with different loads. The deformation of the seal faces affects the performance of mechanical face seals, which leads to water leakage, so the seal face deformation must be analyzed. A mechanics model with deformation equations was developed to describe ship stern-shaft seals. An example was given to verify the deformation equations. The solution of the deformation equations gives a theoretical basis for the analysis of seal leakage and improvements of seal structures.