Analysis of Thermo-Elastic Wear Problems

Abstract

In the relative sliding motion of two elastic bodies on contact interfaces both frictional dissipation and wear process occur. The wear process induces shape evolution of contact surface and growth of contact zone. The temperature field is generated by external heat flow and by frictional dissipation on the contact surface. The wear and heat conduction processes are coupled and tend to their steady or quasi-steady states for which the stress and temperature fields are fixed on the translating contact zone and depend only on its size and shape parameters. The steady-state is characterized by the minimum of wear dissipation power for which the stationary conditions generate the contact pressure distribution. The related steady-state temperature field is next specified and the thermal distortion effect is analyzed. The contact shape attained in the steady wear state is optimal as it corresponds to minimal wear rate, and its form depends on both mechanical loading and temeperature field. Several specific examples are presented for translating and rotating punches.