A numerical model is presented for computing the static friction coefficient of rough surfaces with a soft thin film. In the calculation, an improved model, based on that due to Derjaguin et al., is used in conjunction with an elastic-plastic contact model for contact with a soft coating. The effects of the film thickness and surface roughness on the static friction coefficient and contact are investigated. The numerical results reflect published experimental observations and show the static friction coefficient depends strongly on surface film thickness, external force and surface roughness. The static friction coefficient (μ) increases with the surface film thickness when the plasticity index ψ⩾0.5 whilst μ increases with decreasing film thickness in the very thin film regime when ψ=0.25 and F/AnE<10−4. For real rough surfaces, contact and friction behavior is probably heavily influenced by the existence of such soft, thin surface films, which increase the contact area due to plastic deformation of the film and the contact stiffness of the surface in the case of thin film and light load.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
mechanical contact, tribology, rough surfaces, coatings, friction, plastic deformation
Topics:
Adhesion, Coatings, Deformation, Film thickness, Friction, Stiction, Stress, Surface roughness, Thin films, Plasticity, Metallic films
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