Metallized Carbon Corporation offers a variety of materials ideal for in aerospace gearbox applications, which run the 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 an excellent 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 are an excellent choice for today’s gearbox seal face designs, which use dynamic “lift-off” to reduce seal face wear and friction. All Metcar materials are impermeable and thus able to support the dynamic film used.

Metcar M-45 features excellent thermal conductivity, which 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.

Metcar continually develops new grades to improve upon the materials’ existing capabilities. “Self-lubricating mechanical carbon materials are favored by aerospace design engineers because they stand up very well in the high speed and limited lubrication environments found in aircraft gearboxes,” said President and CEO, Matthew Brennan. “Metcar’s modern carbon-graphite materials are formulated with an eye to minimizing common problems associated with seal face wear, frictional heat, blistering, and coking, especially at temperatures higher than 400°F (204° C).”

Metallized Carbon Corporation
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