Axisymmetric contact analysis of piezoelectric materials with surface effect

Abstract

Based on the surface piezoelectricity theory, this article predicts the axisymmetric smooth contact of a piezoelectric half-space indented by a rigid insulated punch. In this theory, the surface effect is characterized with four material parameters: the surface elastic constant, surface residual stress, surface piezoelectric constant and surface dielectric constant. By applying Hankel integral transform, the fundamental solution for this axisymmetric contact problem is derived with the surface effect. Then, the normal contact stress, radial electric displacement and radial stress of the contact surface are solved numerically. Finally, the surface effects on the normal contact stress, radial electric displacement and radial stress are analyzed. It is found that the surface effect is a significant influencing factor on the axisymmetric contact behaviors of micro-/nano-scale piezoelectric materials.