Abstract: According to the characteristics of the structures and working conditions of sealing rings, a discrete modeling method is presented to investigate the sliding contact in the microscale. Based on the movable cellular automata and considering of the properties of several materials in the composite sealing ring, the discrete model is built in the local contact area of two rough sealing surfaces. The microscopic dynamic responses of sealing surfaces are visualized when loads are applied according to the actual working conditions. The formation and evolution of the mechanically mixed layer composed of loose worn particles and lubricating oil are properly investigated. The results show that the mechanically mixed layer has a significant influence on the sliding contact and this layer has the dual effect of liquid and solid lubrication during the mixed friction process. The automata rotation angles and automata velocities are calculated quantitatively and the dynamic behaviors of worn particles are analyzed. The local friction coefficients and its fitting curve are obtained, which agree well with the test data. The microscopic discrete model of sliding contact has the applicability in the field of sealing contact and provides a reliable approach to study contact states of sealing rings and other friction pairs in the microscale.

Key words: sealing ring;sliding contact;movable cellular automata;microscale