A single asperity elastic-plastic contact model with the effect of kinematic strain hardening

Explaining the contact interaction of rough surfaces through spherical asperity contact model is an effective one. In the current work, a single asperity deforming against a flat surface is modelled and investigated through finite element approach. The combined impact of elastic modulus, yield strength, Poisson's ratio and bilinear kinematic strain hardening rate on contact parameters is studied. The results revealed that the kinematic strain hardening rate significantly affects the contact load, contact area and contact pressure in elastic-plastic and fully plastic deformation states. Due to the increase in kinematic strain hardening rate, the impact of Poisson's ratio on contact parameters increases at high interference ratios in high strength materials. While increasing the kinematic strain hardening rate, high load carrying capacity can be achievable in low strength materials at elastic-plastic and fully plastic contact states. The empirical expressions are established to compute contact parameters with function of Poisson's ratio, elastic modulus to yield strength ratio and interference ratio.