Friction torque of a rotary shaft lip type seal - a comparison between test results and finite element simulation

Abstract

The life span of a Rotary Shaft Lip Type Seal (RWDR) depends substantially on the friction torque. The friction torque can be determined metrological exactly and it depends on different operating conditions. Calculation of the friction moment with the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) allows the minimization of cost-intensive tests. At present FEA of the RWDR is possible only with significant simplifications. A reason for this is that the sealing mechanism is insufficiently described by the theory. This research shows exemplarily the FEA of the friction torque of the RWDR. Furthermore a comparison of the FE-results and test results is shown.