Study on Friction and Wear Mechanism of Fluoro Rubber Ring under High Temperature Abrasive Condition

Abstract:

The high temperature and the abrasive environment in the downhole are the common causes of seal failure of rotary seals; therefore, it is of great importance to understand the wear mechanism of elastomers under high temperature conditions in the abrasive environment to improve the life of seals. The friction and wear experiments on rubbers were carried out to analyze the wear and friction mechanism of rubbers under abrasive conditions after treatment of the fluoro rubber ring at different high temperatures. The results show that as the heating temperature of the rubber increases, the time required for the equilibrium of the friction coefficient curve decreases. The worn form of the rubber surface which was not treated at a high temperature was mainly furrow-like. At 100℃, the worn surface of the rubber was affected by the high temperature, and the furrow was reduced. At 200℃, the fluoro rubber ring surface was worn into pits, and with the maximum wear and tear. The wear of the 304 stainless steel surface changed as the heating temperature of the rubber changed: the wear form changed from the furrow to the pit in the center of the wear surface, while it changed from the pit to the furrow in the inner side.