Eighty years of research on hydraulic reciprocating seals: review of tribological studies and related topics since the 1930s

Hydraulic seals are complicated machine elements. The engineering research on hydraulic reciprocating seals, which commenced roughly in the 1930s, has achieved a basic understanding of performance issues. This article provides a review of the experimental and theoretical research conducted over a period of eight decades, discussing more than 200 of the most significant publications from the related literature. The topics discussed include reciprocating seal designs, materials, experimental methods, theoretical studies, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, solid and contact mechanics, performance issues, and optimization.