A Static Friction Model for Elastic-Plastic Contacting Rough Surfaces

Abstract

A model that predicts the static friction for elastic-plastic contact of rough surfaces is presented. The model incorporates the results of accurate finite element analyses for the elastic-plastic contact, adhesion and sliding inception of a single asperity in a statistical representation of surface roughness. The model shows strong effect of the external force and nominal contact area on the static friction coefficient in contrast to the classical laws of friction. It also shows that the main dimensionless parameters affecting the static friction coefficient are the plasticity index and adhesion parameter. The effect of adhesion on the static friction is discussed and found to be negligible at plasticity index values larger than 2. It is shown that the classical laws of friction are a limiting case of the present more general solution and are adequate only for high plasticity index and negligible adhesion. Some potential limitations of the present model are also discussed pointing to possible improvements. A comparison of the present results with those obtained from an approximate CEB friction model shows substantial differences, with the latter severely underestimating the static friction coefficient.