Fluid wetting infiltration mechanism at the micro-contact zone boundary of rubber–glass interfaces

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the fluid infiltration mechanism at the micro-contact zone boundary of rubber-glass interfaces. Design/methodology/approach An in situ observation instrument was putted up; then the fluid infiltration process was recorded. Experimental results indicated that the fluid infiltration was more likely to occur in a high-contact-area-ratio zone, and the path order of fluid infiltration was first inner normal to the boundary of micro-contact area, and then along the boundary, at last external normal to the direction of boundary. Findings By analysis, capillary pressure is the driven force of fluid at interfaces. The micro-channel size at higher-contact-area-ratio zone is smaller, and the capillary pressure is bigger. Moreover, along different section directions of wedge-shaped region, the horizontal driving force of fluid is different due to difference of conical angle. Originality/value The main contribution of this study is proposing a new wedge-shaped model for better understanding the phenomena of fluid infiltration at rubber contact interfaces. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0453