We systematically check explicit and implicit assumptions of Persson's contact mechanics theory. It casts the evolution of the pressure distribution ${\rm Pr}(p)$ with increasing resolution of surface roughness as a diffusive process, in which resolution plays the role of time. The tested key assumptions of the theory are: (a) the diffusion coefficient is independent of pressure $p$, (b) the diffusion process is drift-free at any value of $p$, (c) the point $p=0$ acts as an absorbing barrier, i.e., once a point falls out of contact, it never reenters again, (d) the Fourier component of the elastic energy is only populated if the appropriate wave vector is resolved, and (e) it no longer changes when even smaller wavelengths are resolved. Using high-resolution numerical simulations, we quantify deviations from these approximations and find quite significant discrepancies in some cases. For example, the drift becomes substantial for small values of $p$, which typically represent points in real space close to a contact line. On the other hand, there is a significant flux of points reentering contact. These and other identified deviations cancel each other to a large degree, resulting in an overall excellent description for contact area, contact geometry, and gap distribution functions. Similar fortuitous error cancellations cannot be guaranteed under different circumstances, for instance when investigating rubber friction. The results of the simulations may provide guidelines for a systematic improvement of the theory.
Persson's theory of contact is extensively used in the study of the purely normal interaction between a nominally flat rough surface and a rigid flat. In the literature, Persson's theory was successfully applied to the elastoplastic contact problem with a scale-independent hardness $H$. However, it yields a closed-form solution, $P(p, ξ)$, in terms of an infinite sum of sines. In this study, $P(p, ξ)$ is found to have a simpler form which is a superposition of three Gaussian functions. A rigorous proof of the boundary condition $P(p=0, ξ)=P(p=H, ξ) = 0$ is given based on the new solution.
Contact analysis without adhesion is still a challenging problem, mainly owing to the multiscale and self-fractal characteristics of rough surfaces. Up to now, theories for analyzing contact behavior of rough surfaces in literature can be generally categorized into two groups: the asperity-based Hertz contact models initiated by Greenwood and Williamson (G-W model), which is shown more accurate under small indentation distance, and the magnification-based pressure diffusion theory initiated by Persson, which is shown to work well under full contact conditions. The aim of this paper is to propo…
Building on theories of Persson, we derive a simpler theory for electroadhesion between rough surfaces using BAM (Bearing Area Model) of Ciavarella, or previous ideas by Persson and Tosatti. Rather surprisingly, in terms of stickiness, we obtain very simple and similar results for pure power law power spectrum density (PSD), confirming stickiness to be mainly dependent on macroscopic quantities. We define a new dimensionless parameter for electroadhesive stickiness.
We study the distribution of interfacial separations P(u) at the contact region between two elastic solids with randomly rough surfaces. An analytical expression is derived for P(u) using Persson's theory of contact mechanics, and is compared to numerical solutions obtained using (a) a half-space method based on the Boussinesq equation, (b) a Green's function molecular dynamics technique and (c) smart-block classical molecular dynamics. Overall, we find good agreement between all the different approaches.
We have employed a numerical procedure to analyze the adhesive contact between a soft elastic layer and a rough rigid substrate. The solution of the problem is obtained by calculating the Green's function which links the pressure distribution to the normal displacements at the interface. The problem is then formulated in the form of a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind with a logarithmic kernel, and the boundaries of the contact area are calculated by requiring that the energy of the system is stationary. The methodology has been employed to study the adhesive contact between an elas…
We study the time dependency of the (average) interfacial separation between an elastic solid with a flat surface and a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface, squeezed together in a fluid. We use an analytical theory describing the fluid flow factors, based on the Persson contact mechanics theory and the Bruggeman effective medium theory, to calculate the removal of the fluid from the contacting interface of the two solids. In order to test this approach, we have performed simple squeeze-out experiments. The experimental results are compared to the theory predictions.
The description of elastic, nonadhesive contacts between solids with self-affine surface roughness seems to necessitate knowledge of a large number of parameters. However, few parameters suffice to determine many important interfacial properties as we show by combining dimensional analysis with numerical simulations. This insight is used to deduce the pressure dependence of the relative contact area and the mean interfacial separation $Δ\bar{u}$ and to present the results in a compact form. Given a proper unit choice for pressure $p$, i.e., effective modulus $E^*$ times the root-mean-square gr…
We generalize the Persson contact mechanics and rubber friction theory to the case where both surfaces have surface roughness. The solids can be rigid, elastic or viscoelastic, and can be homogeneous or layered. We calculate the contact area, the viscoelastic contribution to the friction force, and the average interfacial separation as a function of the sliding speed and the nominal contact pressure. We illustrate the theory with numerical results for a rubber block sliding on a road surface. We find that with increasing sliding speed, the influence of the roughness on the rubber block decreas…
The viscous dissipation between rigid, randomly rough indenters and linearly elastic counter bodies sliding past them is investigated using Green's function molecular dynamics. The study encompasses a variety of models differing in the height spectra properties of the rigid indenter, in the viscoelasticity of the elastomer, and in their interaction. All systems reveal the expected damping linear in sliding velocity $v$ at small $v$ and a pronounced maximum at intermediate $v$. Persson's theory of rubber friction, which is adopted to the studied model systems, reflects all observed trends. Howe…
We carry out a statistically meaningful study on self-affine rough surfaces in elastic frictionless non-adhesive contact. We study the evolution of the true contact area under increasing squeezing pressure. Rough surfaces are squeezed from zero up to full contact, which enables us to compare the numerical results both with asperity based models at light pressures and with Persson's contact model for the entire range of pressures. Through the contact perimeter we estimate the error bounds inherent to contact area calculation in discrete problems. A large number of roughness realizations enables…
I study fluid flow at the interface between elastic solids with randomly rough surfaces. I use the contact mechanics model of Persson to take into account the elastic interaction between the solid walls and the Bruggeman effective medium theory to account for the influence of the disorder on the fluid flow. I calculate the flow tensor which determines the pressure flow factor and, e.g., the leak-rate of static seals. I show how the perturbation treatment of Tripp can be extended to arbitrary order in the ratio between the root-mean-square roughness amplitude and the average interfacial surface…
The adhesive contact between elastic solids with randomly rough, self affine fractal surfaces is studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The interfacial binding energy obtained from the simulations of nominally flat and curved surfaces is compared with the predictions of the contact mechanics theory by Persson. Theoretical and simulation results agree rather well, and most of the differences observed can be attributed to finite size effects and to the long-range nature of the interaction between the atoms in the block and the substrate in the MD model, as compared to the analytical the…
We derive a very simple and effective stickiness criterion for solids having random roughness using a new asymptotic theory, which we validate with that of Persson and Scaraggi and independent numerical experiments. Previous claims that stickiness may depend on small scale quantities such as rms slopes and/or curvatures, obtained by making oversimplified assumptions on the contact area geometry, are largely incorrect, as the truncation of the PSD spectrum of roughness at short wavelengths is irrelevant. We find stickiness is destroyed typically at roughness amplitudes up to three orders of mag…
A very interesting recent paper by Dalvi et al. has demonstrated convincingly with adhesion experiments of a soft material with a hard rough material that the simple energy idea of Persson and Tosatti works reasonably well, namely the reduction in apparent work of adhesion is equal to the energy required to achieve conformal contact. We demonstrate here that, in terms of a stickiness criterion, this is extremely close to a criterion we derive from BAM (Bearing Area Model) of Ciavarella, and not very far from that of Violano et al. It is rather surprising that all these criteria give very close…
We study the average separation between an elastic solid and a hard solid with a nominal flat but randomly rough surface, as a function of the squeezing pressure. We present experimental results for a silicon rubber (PDMS) block with a flat surface squeezed against an asphalt road surface. The theory shows that an effective repulse pressure act between the surfaces of the form p proportional to exp(-u/u0), where u is the average separation between the surfaces and u0 a constant of order the root-mean-square roughness, in good agreement with the experimental results.
We study frictionless and non-adhesive contact between elastic half-spaces with self-affine surfaces. Using a recently suggested corrective technique, we ensure an unprecedented accuracy in computation of the true contact area evolution under increasing pressure. This accuracy enables us to draw conclusions on the role of the surface's spectrum breadth (Nayak parameter) in the contact area evolution. We show that for a given normalized pressure, the contact area decreases logarithmically with the Nayak parameter. By linking the Nayak parameter with the Hurst exponent (or fractal dimension), we…
I show how flexoelectricity result in a fluctuating surface electric potential when elastic solids with random roughness are squeezed into contact. The flexoelectric potential may induce surface charge distributions and hence contribute to triboelectricity. Using the developed theory I analyze the Kelvin Force Microscopy data of Baytekin et al for the electric potential above a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface after it was peeled away from another PDMS surface
The total elastic stiffness of two contacting bodies with a microscopically rough interface has an interfacial contribution K that is entirely attributable to surface roughness. A quantitative understanding of K is important because it can dominate the total mechanical response and because it is proportional to the interfacial contributions to electrical and thermal conductivity in continuum theory. Numerical simulations of the dependence of K on the applied squeezing pressure p are presented for nominally flat elastic solids with a range of surface roughnesses. Over a wide range of p, K rises…
We present exact numerical results for the friction force and the contact area for a viscoelastic solid (rubber) in sliding contact with hard, randomly rough substrates. The rough surfaces are self-affine fractal with roughness over several decades in length scales. We calculate the contribution to the friction from the pulsating deformations induced by the substrate asperities. We also calculate how the area of real contact, $A(v,p) $, depends on the sliding speed $v$ and on the nominal contact pressure $p$, and we show how the contact area for any sliding speed can be obtained from a univers…
In this paper we investigate the loading and unloading behavior of soft solids in adhesive contact with randomly rough profiles. The roughness is assumed to be described by a self-affine fractal on a limited range of wave-vectors. A spectral method is exploited to generate such randomly rough surfaces. The results are statistically averaged, and the calculated contact area and applied load are shown as a function of the penetration, for loading and unloading conditions. We found that the combination of adhesion forces and roughness leads to a hysteresis loading-unloading loop. This shows that …
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所固体润滑国家重点实验室）；Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich（于利希研究中心彼得·格林伯格研究所（PGI-1））；MultiscaleConsulting（多尺度咨询公司）
When two elastic solids with randomly rough surfaces are brought in contact, a very inhomogeneous stress distribution sigma(x) will occur at the interface. Here I study the elastic energy and the correlation function <sigma(q)sigma(-q)>, where sigma(q) is the Fourier transform of sigma(x) and where <...> stands for ensemble average. I relate <sigma(q})sigma(-q)> to the elastic energy stored at the interface, and I show that for self affine fractal surfaces, quite generally <sigma(q)sigma(-q)> \sim q^{-(1+H)}, where H is the Hurst exponent of the self-affine fractal surface.
In this work, we numerically study the elastic contact between isotropic and anisotropic, rigid, randomly rough surfaces and linearly elastic counterfaces as well as the subsequent Reynolds flow through the gap between the two contacting solids. We find the percolation threshold to depend on the fluid-flow direction when the Peklenik number indicates anisotropy unless the system size clearly exceeds the roll-off wave length parallel to the easy flow direction. A critical contact area near 0.415 is confirmed. Heuristically corrected effective-medium treatments satisfactorily provide Reynolds fl…
The wetting properties of solid substrates with customary (i.e., macroscopic) random roughness are considered as a function of the microscopic contact angle of the wetting liquid and its partial pressure in the surrounding gas phase. Analytic expressions are derived which allow for any given lateral correlation function and height distribution of the roughness to calculate the wetting phase diagram, the adsorption isotherms, and to locate the percolation transition in the adsorbed liquid film. Most features turn out to depend only on a few key parameters of the roughness, which can be clearly …
We study the heat transfer between elastic solids with randomly rough surfaces. We include both the heat transfer from the area of real contact, and the heat transfer between the surfaces in the noncontact regions. We apply a recently developed contact mechanics theory, which accounts for the hierarchical nature of the contact between solids with roughness on many different length scales. For elastic contact, at the highest (atomic) resolution the area of real contact typically consists of atomic (nanometer) sized regions, and we discuss the implications of this for the heat transfer. For soli…
We study the adhesive contact between elastic solids with randomly rough, self affine fractal surfaces. We present molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results for the interfacial stress distribution and the wall-wall separation. We compare the MD results for the relative contact area and the average interfacial separation, with the prediction of the contact mechanics theory of Persson. We find good agreement between theory and the simulation results. We apply the theory to the system studied by Benz et al. involving polymer in contact with polymer, but in this case the adhesion gives only a sma…
I study how the contact area and the work of adhesion, between two elastic solids with randomly rough surfaces, depend on the relative humidity. The surfaces are assumed to be hydrophilic, and capillary bridges form at the interface between the solids. For elastically hard solids with relative smooth surfaces, the area of real contact and therefore also the sliding friction, are maximal when there is just enough liquid to fill out the interfacial space between the solids, which typically occurs for $d_{\rm K} \approx 3 h_{\rm rms}$, where $d_{\rm K}$ is the height of the capillary bridge and $…
We report on measurements of the local friction law at a multi-contact interface formed between a smooth rubber and statistically rough glass lenses, under steady state friction. Using contact imaging, surface displacements are measured, and inverted to extract both distributions of frictional shear stress and contact pressure with a spatial resolution of about 10~$μ$m. For a glass surface whose topography is self-affine with a Gaussian height asperity distribution, the local frictional shear stress is found to vary strongly sub-linearly with the local contact pressure over the whole investiga…
Multiscale contact mechanics for elastoplastic contacts
Luleå University of Technology（吕勒奥理工大学）；Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所）；Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich（于利希研究中心彼得·格林伯格研究所（PGI-1））；MultiscaleConsulting（多尺度咨询公司）
When two solids are squeezed together they will in general not make atomic contact everywhere within the nominal (or apparent) contact area. This fact has huge practical implications and must be considered in many technological applications. In this paper I briefly review basic theories of contact mechanics. I consider in detail a recently developed contact mechanics theory. I derive boundary conditions for the stress probability distribution function for elastic, elastoplastic and adhesive contact between solids and present numerical results illustrating some aspects of the theory. I analyze …
We study fluid flow at the interfaces between elastic solids with randomly rough, self-affine surfaces. We show by numerical simulation that elastic deformation lowers the relative contact area at which contact patches percolate in comparison to traditional approaches to seals. Elastic deformation also suppresses leakage through contacts even far away from the percolation threshold. Reliable estimates for leakage can be obtained by combining Persson's contact mechanics theory with a slightly modified version of Bruggeman's effective-medium solution of the Reynolds equation.
We study experimentally and theoretically the equilibrium adhesive contact between a smooth glass lens and a rough rubber surface textured with spherical microasperities with controlled height and spatial distributions. Measurements of the real contact area $A$ versus load $P$ are performed under compression by imaging the light transmitted at the microcontacts. $A(P)$ is found to be non-linear and to strongly depend on the standard deviation of the asperity height distribution. Experimental results are discussed in the light of a discrete version of Fuller and Tabor's (FT) original model (\te…
Flash temperature in sliding contacts: comparing theory with experiments
Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich（于利希研究中心）；State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所固体润滑国家重点实验室）；MultiscaleConsulting（多尺度咨询公司）
Field-theoretical approach to estimate mean gap and gap distribution in randomly rough surface contact mechanics
Yangzhou University（扬州大学）；Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院力学研究所）；University of Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院大学）；Hefei University of Technology（合肥工业大学）
We study the fluid squeeze-out from the interface between an elastic solid with a flat surface and a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface. As an application we discuss fluid squeeze-out between a tire tread block and a road surface. Some implications for the leakage of seals are discussed, and experimental data are presented to test the theory.
The effect of rough walls on the phase behaviour of a confined liquid crystal (LC) fluid is studied using constant pressure Monte Carlo simulations. The LC is modelled as a fluid of soft ellipsoidal molecules and the rough walls are represented as a hard wall with a number of molecules randomly embedded in them. It is found that the isotropic-nematic (IN) transition is shifted to higher pressures for rougher walls.
We report on normal contact and friction measurements of model multicontact interfaces formed between smooth surfaces and substrates textured with a statistical distribution of spherical micro-asperities. Contacts are either formed between a rigid textured lens and a smooth rubber, or a flat textured rubber and a smooth rigid lens. Measurements of the real area of contact $A$ versus normal load $P$ are performed by imaging the light transmitted at the microcontacts. For both interfaces, $A(P)$ is found to be sub-linear with a power law behavior. Comparison to two multi-asperity contact models,…
We present a numerical model for the prediction of the rough contact mechanics of a viscoelastic block, with graded rheology, in steady sliding contact with a randomly rough rigid surface. In particular, we derive the effective surface response of a stepwise or continuously-graded block in the Fourier domain, which is then embedded in a Fourier-based residuals molecular dynamic formulation of the contact mechanics. Finally we discuss on the role of small-scale wavelengths on rubber friction and contact area, and we demonstrate that the rough contact mechanics exhibits effective interface prope…
On the flash temperature in sliding rubber contacts
Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich（于利希研究中心）；Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所）；MultiscaleConsulting（多尺度咨询公司）
I discuss fluid flow at the interface between solids with anisotropic roughness. I show that for randomly rough surfaces with anisotropic roughness, the contact area percolate at the same relative contact area as for isotropic roughness, and that the Bruggeman effective medium theory and the critical junction theory give nearly the same results for the fluid flow conductivity. This shows that, in most cases, the surface roughness observed at high magnification is irrelevant for fluid flow problems such as the leakage of static seals, and fluid squeeze-out.
The friction and adhesion between elastic bodies are strongly influenced by the roughness of the surfaces in contact. Here we develop a multiscale molecular dynamics approach to contact mechanics, which can be used also when the surfaces have roughness on many different length-scales, e.g., for self affine fractal surfaces. As an illustration we consider the contact between randomly rough surfaces, and show that the contact area varies linearly with the load for small load. We also analyze the contact morphology and the pressure distribution at different magnification, both with and without ad…
We revisit the classic problem of an elastic solid with a two-dimensional wavy surface squeezed against an elastic flat half-space from infinitesimal to full contact. Through extensive numerical calculations and analytic derivations, we discover previously overlooked transition regimes. These are seen in particular in the evolution with applied load of the contact area and perimeter, the mean pressure and the probability density of contact pressure. These transitions are correlated with the contact area shape, which is affected by long range elastic interactions. Our analysis has implications …
I study the contact between a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface and an elastic block with a flat surface. I derive a relation between the (average) interfacial separation $u$ and the applied normal squeezing pressure $p$. I show that for non-adhesive inte raction and small applied pressure, p is proportional to exp (-u/u_0), in good agreement with recent experimental observation.
Frictional properties of contacts between a smooth viscoelastic rubber and rigid surfaces are investigated using a torsional contact configuration where a glass lens is continuously rotated on the rubber surface. From the inversion of the displacement field measured at the surface of the rubber, spatially resolved values of the steady state frictional shear stress are determined within the non homogeneous pressure and velocity fields of the contact. For contacts with a smooth lens, a velocity dependent but pressure independent local shear stress is retrieved from the inversion. On the other ha…
True contact between randomly rough solids consists of myriad individual micro-junctions. While their total area controls the adhesive friction force of the interface, other macroscopic features, including viscoelastic friction, wear, stiffness and electric resistance, also strongly depend on the size and shape of individual micro-junctions. Here we show that, in rough elastomer contacts, the shape of micro-junctions significantly varies as a function of the shear force applied to the interface. This process leads to a growth of anisotropy of the overall contact interface, which saturates in m…
We report a molecular dynamics study of the contact between a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface and an elastic block with a flat surface. We study the contact area and the interfacial separation from small contact (low load) to full contact (high load). For small load the contact area varies linearly with the load and the interfacial separation depends logarithmically on the load. For high load the contact area approaches to the nominal contact area (i.e., complete contact), and the interfacial separation approaches to zero. The present results may be very important for soft solids, e.…
