• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Self-Affine Elastic Contacts: Percolation and Leakage

Wolf B. Dapp, Andreas Lücke, Bo N. J. Persson, and Martin H. Müser
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 244301 – Published 15 June 2012
Physics logo See Focus story: Plugging Leaks in Seal Models

Abstract

We study fluid flow at the interfaces between elastic solids with randomly rough, self-affine surfaces. We show by numerical simulation that elastic deformation lowers the relative contact area at which contact patches percolate in comparison to traditional approaches to seals. Elastic deformation also suppresses leakage through contacts even far away from the percolation threshold. Reliable estimates for leakage can be obtained by combining Persson’s contact mechanics theory with a slightly modified version of Bruggeman’s effective-medium solution of the Reynolds equation.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 27 January 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.244301

© 2012 American Physical Society

Focus

Key Image

Plugging Leaks in Seal Models

Published 15 June 2012

Gaskets and other seals can stop leaks even if the leak-preventing surfaces have just 42 percent of their area in contact at the microscopic scale, according to computer simulations.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Wolf B. Dapp1, Andreas Lücke1,2, Bo N. J. Persson3, and Martin H. Müser1,4,*

  • 1Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Institute for Advanced Simulation, FZ Jülich, Jülich, Germany
  • 2Department Physik, Universität Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
  • 3Peter Grünberg Institute, FZ Jülich, Jülich, Germany
  • 4Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Germany

  • *martin.mueser@mx.uni-saarland.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 24 — 15 June 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×