Theoretical and experimental characterization for macro-micro friction behaviors of EPDM rubber

Friction behaviors of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber ring will result in the oil leakage of radial lip seals. This research provides theoretical and experimental characterization for the friction behaviors of EPDM rubber. A friction coefficient prediction model is developed with consideration of the effect of temperature. The friction coefficient of EPDM rubber at different temperatures is studied experimentally, and its wear mechanisms throughout the temperature interval [20, 140] are revealed. Both the contact pressure and friction work density are investigated by using finite element method (FEM). Results show that the deviation between the predicted friction coefficient and experimental one is lower than 10%. The increase of temperature causes a decrease in the friction coefficient and leads to an increase of surface roughness of EPDM rubber, while it results in a reduction in the contact pressure and the friction work density.