The theoretical background and the numerical modeling results of a ground-based verification activity of a critical space mission phase affected by adhesion issues are presented. Tribological models are first reviewed with an emphasis on the contact forces assessment and their relationship to the geometrical, material, and mechanical properties of the contacting metal bodies. An approach based on a finite element analysis of the contact, accounting for the adhesion forces, is then proposed for studying the contact behavior of smooth surfaces in vacuum. Some solutions aimed at reducing adhesion pull-off forces are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the role of surface roughness in reducing adhesion. To this purpose, a fractal surface theory is used to estimate interaction forces. The obtained results are applied to discuss the role of adhesion on the release of a test mass under zero gravity as well as to suggest an appropriate detachment procedure that finds a specific application in a scientific space mission.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: matteo.benedetti@ing.unitn.it
Article navigation
October 2006
Research Papers
The Influence of Adhesion and Sub-Newton Pull-Off Forces on the Release of Objects in Outer Space
M. Benedetti,
M. Benedetti
Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies,
e-mail: matteo.benedetti@ing.unitn.it
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Bortoluzzi,
D. Bortoluzzi
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
M. Da Lio,
M. Da Lio
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
V. Fontanari
V. Fontanari
Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
M. Benedetti
Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italye-mail: matteo.benedetti@ing.unitn.it
D. Bortoluzzi
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
M. Da Lio
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, Italy
V. Fontanari
Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies,
University of Trento
, 38050 Trento, ItalyJ. Tribol. Oct 2006, 128(4): 828-840 (13 pages)
Published Online: April 26, 2006
Article history
Received:
September 29, 2005
Revised:
April 26, 2006
Citation
Benedetti, M., Bortoluzzi, D., Da Lio, M., and Fontanari, V. (April 26, 2006). "The Influence of Adhesion and Sub-Newton Pull-Off Forces on the Release of Objects in Outer Space." ASME. J. Tribol. October 2006; 128(4): 828–840. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2345407
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Related Articles
Tribological and Wetting Properties of TiO 2 Based Hydrophobic Coatings for Ceramics
J. Tribol (October,2019)
Investigations of the Adhesive Contact Behavior of Elastic Layered Media With Surface Roughness
J. Tribol (April,2019)
Some Closed-Form Results for Adhesive Rough Contacts Near Complete Contact on Loading and Unloading in the Johnson, Kendall, and Roberts Regime
J. Tribol (January,2018)
An Adhesion Model for Elastic-Contacting Fractal Surfaces in the Presence of Meniscus
J. Tribol (April,2009)
Related Chapters
Contact Laws
Contact in Structural Mechanics: A Weighted Residual Approach
Ring Shear Testing of Deposited Coatings
Testing of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
Tribology of Hydraulic Systems: Hydrodynamic Effects of Surface Roughness
Hydraulic Failure Analysis: Fluids, Components, and System Effects