Computational Analysis of Stress Field and Contact Pressure for Rubber Seal Based on Non-Linear Finite Element

Abstract

This paper aims to research on the sealing capability of rubber seal by utlizing non-linear finite element analysis. After discussion on various types of strain energy functions of rubber like materials, material parameters of Mooney-Rivilin model are determined by curve fitting based on the stress strain curve from the uniaxial tensile experiment. Axis symmetric and isotropic finite element model is developed to analyze the stress field and contact pressue of O-ring seal and lip seal at different medium pressure. Von-mises stress distribution rule and contact stress distribution curve on contact surface are achieved. The results show that maximum Von Mises stress increase with the increases of oil pressure. The maximum contact stress appears on the middle contact zone and the maximum contact stress and contact width increases obviously with the increases of oil pressure. In the meanwhile, the maximum contact stress is greater than midum pressure which can prevent the leakage of midum and achieve the function of sealing. The research results will be a useful technique for predicting the properties of rubber seal and providing reference for engineering design.