In order to further explore the effects of whirling on the sealing performances of liquid film seals,based on the SchnerrSauer cavitation model complying with the conservation of mass,the whirling model of spiral groove liquid film seals was established.The effects of both whirling radius and whirling speed on the cavitation occurrence and hydrodynamic performance were discussed.Results indicate that,the whirling radius has little effect on both the liquid film loadcarrying capacity and leakage but significantly affects the cavitation ratio and overturning torque.The whirling speed has a larger effect on both the cavitation ratio and hydrodynamic performance,the positive whirling produces a promoting effect while the reverse whirling is opposite.In the same operating conditions,the effect of positive whirling on the hydrodynamic performance of liquid film seals is better than that of reverse whirling.