Tribological aspects of dynamic seals with O-rings used in aircraft hydraulic equipment

Abstract

Depending on the operating parameters, a dynamic sealing system with O-rings can be in different friction modes: dry, limit, mixed or fluid. Modification of the friction mode occurs throughout the operating life, but also in a single working cycle, as a result working parameters variation: variation in speed of the mobile part of the hydraulic equipment from zero (at start and at reversal of the movement sense) to a maximum value, specific to each application; the fluctuation of the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid according to the pressure and the working temperature; variation of the contact pressures between the sealing ring and the sealing surfaces, depending on the pressure and the temperature of the sealed environment.

Keywords

• tribology
• O-ring
• radial
• dynamic sealing
• hydraulic system
• aircraft