Leak-rate of seals: effective medium theory and comparison with experiment
arXiv:0911.3019
Abstract
Seals are extremely useful devices to prevent fluid leakage. We present an effective medium theory of the leak-rate of rubber seals, which is based on a recently developed contact mechanics theory. We compare the theory with experimental results for seals consisting of silicon rubber in contact with sandpaper and sand-blasted PMMA surfaces.
8 pages, 11 figures