An Analysis of Contact Between a Pair of Surface Asperities During Sliding

Abstract

An analysis of friction junction formed by a pair of interacting hemispherically shaped surface asperities was carried out. Depending on the maximum geometrical interference of the asperities junction deformation can be elastic or plastic. Elastic junctions were analyzed using Hertz solution. Depending on whether the junction is welded or nonwelded it was assumed that the interfacial shear stress is constant and equal to or less than the bulk shear strength of the weaker material. Solution for the case of plastic junction was approximated by Green’s slip-line field solution.