A mathematical model for evaluating adhesion contact of an elastomeric seal-on-seal structure

Abstract

For low impact docking systems (LIDS) developing for rendezvous and docking of spacecraft, the main interface docking seal (MID seal) is one of the key components, and its seal and adhesion performances are crucial for mating LIDS-adapted spacecrafts. An elastomeric seal-on-seal structure is one of the mainstream designs of the MID seal and is generally made of silicone rubbers that can adapt to complex space environments. For the MID seal of seal-on-seal structure, the adhesion performance has been confirmed to have significant effects on the separation reliability of mating spacecrafts. By analyzing the sealing and adhesive mechanisms of the MID seal that is an elastomeric seal-on-seal structure, an adhesive contact model of single rough peak is derived on the grounds of Johnson, Kendall and Roberts (JKR) theory. Utilizing the asperities model and the adhesive contact model of single rough peak, an adhesive contact model of the elastomeric seal-on-seal structure is further proposed. The experiments were performed to verify the adhesion model, and the satisfied consistencies were presented in the comparative studies of the experimental data and the calculated data. Based on the proposed mathematical model, the simulation analyses were performed to disclosure adhesive performances of the MID seal. The influence rules of some parameters on adhesive performances were presented, including material parameters, geometric parameters, and parameters of surface morphology. The research findings are proven to be favorable for the design, machining, assemblage and actual service of the MID seal, and can be also used for other elastomeric seals.