Adhesive Wear Based on Accurate FEA Study of Asperity Contact and n-Point Asperity Model

The paper describes a theoretical study of adhesive wear based on accurate finite element analysis (FEA) of elastic-plastic contact of single asperity and n-point asperity model. The wear model developed considers wear particle generation in whole range of deformation, ranging from fully elastic through elastic-plastic to fully plastic. Well defined adhesion index and plasticity index are used to study the prospective situations arising out of variation in load, material properties, and surface roughness. It is observed that the wear volume at particular level of separation increases with increase in plastic deformation and adhesion effect. Materials having higher tendency to adhesion show higher wear rate. Trend of the results obtained is found in line with the existing solutions which are modeled with conventional asperity concept. Inclusion of separate formulations for intermediate state of deformation of asperities which are based on accurate FEA study gives complete solution.