The effect of tapered edges on lubrication regimes in surface-textured elastomer seals

The paper focuses on modeling a hydraulic elastomer seal cross-section for improving the effect of surface texturing in Soft Elasto Hydrodynamic Lubrication. The model consists of textured elastomer seal having a cross section combined of composite tapered and flat land, sliding relative to a rigid smooth counterpart in the presence of viscous lubricant. The hydrodynamic lubrication and the elasticity problems are solved simultaneously. A parametric analysis is performed to obtain the optimum surface texturing parameters and the improved cross section. Ranges of different possible lubrication regimes are also discussed.

► A model of lubrication between textured elastomer and smooth rigid counterpart is developed.
► Parameters of surface texturing providing optimum load capacity and friction are evaluated.
► Ranges of different possible lubrication regimes are discussed in the paper.
► Tapered edges significantly increase the range of the full hydrodynamic lubrication.