A model for the static sealing performance of compliant metallic gas seatsincluding surface roughness and rarefaction effects

The static sealing performance of compliant metallic gas seals is analyzed, accounting for both surface roughness and rarefaction effects. This is acc omplished by a simultaneous solution of the contact and the flow problems f or rough surfaces of which the compliant one is curve. A simplified semi-empirical model is developed and its accuracy is establis hed for a wide range of practical applications. The effects of various desi gn parameters and operating conditions on the sealing performance, air inve stigated using this model. It is found that the most important parameters t o obtain "gas tight" sealing ave the hardness of the softer component, the composite RMS roughness of the two mating faces, and the seal curvature at the contact zone.