Measurement Method of Small Leakage Rate for Fitted Metal Parts

We developed a measurement method to evaluate the sealing performance for narrow gap between a metal shaft and a fitted sleeve quantitatively in a brief time. We examined the effect of the chamfer shape and the surface roughness of the shaft on the leakage rate. We also conducted liquid leakage test in order to compare the leakage rate of gas with that of the liquid. From this comparison, we showed that it is possible to evaluate the sealing performance for liquid by measuring leakage rate of gas. In addition, we discussed the leakage rate of fluid through the gap by assuming viscous flow. The estimated leakage rate of the liquid derived from the leakage rate of air by converting viscosity of air into that of the liquid was totally proportional to the measured leakage rate of the liquid. Therefore, we concluded that the leakage rate of liquid can be estimated by measuring that of air.