Inter-asperity cavitation and global cavitation in seals: An average flow analysis

A universal, average Reynolds equation was previously developed to model the combined effects of inter-asperity cavitation and global cavitation in lubricating films between rough surfaces. In this study, the universal, average Reynolds equation is applied to two types of rotating shaft seals: lip seals and mechanical face seals. Inter-asperity cavitation is shown to affect the sealing mechanism of lip seals and to influence the behavior of new, worn, and wavy mechanical face seals. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.