Calculating compression of a rubber profile.

[BobJohno]

Hello.
I'm new to Eng_Tips and hopefully someone can help me with this problem.
Could anyone point me in the right direction for formulae to calculate the compression of a rubber (EPDM) profile under a uniform load?
Known factors:-
Load.
Shore Hardness
Contact Area
Area of cross section.

Thanks. BJ

 

[SOLIDMODEL1]

BJ,

This depends very much on the shape of the rubber profile.

Your first port of call would be the world famous book "Engineering Design with Natural Rubber" by P.B Lindley.

Conrad.

 

[Dtuck]

Compressing rubber for seals is best done by fixed percentage rather than leaving the load to be held by the rubber. Hardware is best when it closes completely and the end conditions are known for the rubber.