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.
- Received 27 January 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.244301
© 2012 American Physical Society
Focus
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.
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