Abstract: The contact friction of the end face of the dry gas seal ring is of technical importance, while the friction characteristics of the end face should also be considered in the groove design and optimization. The spiral groove dry gas seal rings with 16° and 18° spiral angles were tested by the friction and wear tester. The wear, friction temperature, friction coefficient and surface roughness of the seal rings were discussed. And the effects of different spiral angles on the tribological properties of the end faces were investigated. The friction, temperature rise and friction coefficient of 18° spiral angle tests were slightly larger than that of 16° spiral angle tests. The wear of 18° spiral angle specimen were more severe than that of 16° spiral angle specimen. The obvious difference of the roughness of the outer rings covered by the spiral groove was observed. The roughness of the inner ring was comparable. The variation of groove parameters had obvious impact on the wear of the graphite outer ring. The experimental results provided the basis for the further study of end faces' tribological properties and the optimization of grooves.