Abstract
In this work, we numerically study the elastic contact between isotropic and anisotropic, rigid, randomly rough surfaces and linearly elastic counterfaces as well as the subsequent Reynolds flow through the gap between the two contacting solids. We find the percolation threshold to depend on the fluid flow direction when the Peklenik number indicates anisotropy unless the system size clearly exceeds the roll-off wave length parallel to the easy flow direction. A critical contact area near 0.415 is confirmed. Heuristically corrected effective-medium treatments satisfactorily provide Reynolds fluid flow conductances, e.g., for isotropic roughness, we identify accurate closed-form expressions, which only depend on the mean gap and the relative contact area.Graphic
Highlights
Predicting the leakage rate of seals requires the distribution of the interfacial separation between a surface and the seal to be known
The elastic contact problem is solved with Green’s function molecular dynamics (GFMD) [40, 41], which is used in combination with the fast-inertial relaxation algorithm (FIRE) [42] as described elsewhere [43]
We found that the relative contact area at which fluid channels no longer percolate across a sufficiently large system is a∗c = 0.415 ± 0.01 and that this value holds for surfaces with anisotropic random roughness
Summary
Predicting the leakage rate of seals requires the distribution of the interfacial separation between a surface and the seal to be known This distribution function can only be obtained reliably with accurate contact mechanics models for the surface-seal system accounting for the microscopic. Robbins, who is honored in this issue of Tribology Letters, lead the first efforts to rigorously model numerically the multi-scale nature of roughness [3, 4] and kept spearheading contact mechanics simulations. This gives us the chance to quickly sketch some of Mark’s pioneering contributions to contact mechanics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
