The contact of surfaces having a random structure

Abstract

The contact of random surfaces is discussed in terms of a general theory of such surfaces previously described by Whitehouse and Archard, and the derived results are compared with the earlier work of Greenwood and Williamson. The physical significance of the differences between the two theories are discussed; in particular, the influence of a distribution of asperity curvatures is revealed. It is suggested that the simple model of Greenwood and Williamson can underestimate both the pressures at the true areas of contact and the probability of plastic flow.