Analytical description of the wear process using a multi-stage contact fractal approach

Abstract

This work introduces the contact perspective as a potential reason for the stage transition in the wear process. Our investigation centers on the origin of nanoscale debris, with a specific critical length scale governing its formation. Additionally, the plastic contact of the asperity, a crucial factor that represents the effects of normal contact in wear generation, is also determined by the critical length scale. Incorporating the critical length scales, a length scale region corresponding to wear is defined, based on this specific length scale region an understanding of the wear coefficient is established subsequently. Due to variations in critical length scale, the wear production is endowed with a stage transition process. The proposed wear coefficient has a deterministic analytic expression with effects of surface roughness to facilitate a prior prediction of wear rate between fractal surfaces.