The influence of lubrication on two body abrasive wear of sealing elastomers

Elastomeric seals are prone to failure caused by abrasion during sliding against rough surfaces. In this research, the two body abrasive wear of sealing elastomers in dry and lubricated conditions has been studied. A two body abrasive wear tester has been used to investigate the abrasive wear of the elastomers under varying test parameters. This test aparatus reciprocates a rectangular elastomeric sample against an abrasive paper wrapped around the circumferential surface of a wheel. The samples were weighed using an accurate scale before and after the tests to quantify the abrasive wear. The experiments have been carried out at varying normal load and abrasive size in dry and lubricated conditions. The influence of two different lubricants, including a synthetic ester and a mineral oil, together with the test parameters on the abrasive wear has been studied. The results show that, depending on the material, lubricant, abrasive size, normal load and test duration, the abrasive wear of elastomers may increase or decrease in the presence of lubricants, however, in most cases, the abrasive wear in the lubricated condition is higher than that in the dry condition. The influence of lubricant on the increase in abrasive wear is more significant when a fine abrasive is used. Increase in the abrasive wear in presence of the synthetic ester is more pronounced than in presence of the mineral oil.Godkänd; 2008; 20080615 (brap