Abstract: The rheological characteristics of the oil film on the rod-seal interface in the sealing zone have a major influence on the behavior of reciprocating seals. Because of the addition of polymers, the viscosity and temperature properties of hydraulic oil have improved and the fluid presents non-Newtonian characteristics. To investigate the influence of these characteristics on seal behavior, a soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) numerical model is introduced to simulate a step seal under a mixed lubrication condition. A modified Reynolds equation is derived for calculating the fluid film pressure distribution more accurately. The equation is based on the power law fluid model and Jakobsson-Floberg-Olsson (JFO) cavitation theory. Results are presented to gain insight into the effect of non-Newtonian fluid characteristics on seal behavior, and the simulated results are compared to those of a Newtonian fluid to reveal the seal mechanism. The influence of operating parameters and the seal surface root mean square (RMS) roughness on sealing performance under different power law indexes is also investigated and discussed.

Key words: Non-Newtonian effect; Power law fluid; Step seal; Soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)

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