Fretting Wear Modeling of Coated and Uncoated Surfaces Using the Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method

A new approach for modeling fretting wear in a Hertzian line contact is presented. The combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) in which multiple finite element bodies interact as distinct bodies is used to model a two-dimensional fretting contact with and without coatings. The normal force and sliding distance are used during each fretting cycle, and fretting wear is modeled by locally applying Archard’s wear equation to determine wear loss along the surface. The FDEM is validated by comparing the pressure and frictional shear stress results to the continuum mechanics solution for a Hertzian fretting contact. The dependence of the wear algorithm stability on the cycle increment of a fretting simulation is also investigated. The effects of friction coefficient, normal force, displacement amplitude, coating thickness, and coating modulus of elasticity on fretting wear are presented.