Investigation of normal and tangential contact stiffness considering surface asperity interaction

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to propose a normal and tangential contact stiffness model to investigate the contact characteristics between rough surfaces of machined joints based on fractal geometry and contact mechanics theory considering surface asperities interaction. Design/methodology/approach The fractal geometry theory describes surface topography and Hertz contact theory derives the asperities elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic contact deformation. The joint normal and tangential contact stiffness are obtained. The experiment method for normal and tangential contact stiffness are introduced. Findings The relationship between dimensionless normal contact load and dimensionless normal and tangential contact stiffness are analyzed in different plasticity index. The results show that they are nonlinear relationships. The normal and tangential contact stiffness are obtained based on theoretical and experimental methods for milling and grinding machined specimens. The results indicate that the present model for the normal and tangential contact stiffness are consistent with experimental data, respectively. Originality/value The normal and tangential contact stiffness models are constructed by using the fractal geometry and the contact mechanics theory considering surface asperities interaction, which includes fully elastic, elastic-plastic and fully plastic contacts deformation. The present method can generate a more reliable calculation result as compared with the contact model no-considering asperities interaction.