Research on contact mechanics of a 3D self-affine surface topography using mesh regeneration technology

Micro-topography directly affects the contact characteristics of rough surfaces. The GW model and MB model have well explained it, which has been recognized by many scholars. To truly explore contact mechanical characteristic of rough surfaces, this paper reconstructs the real surface topography using the mesh regeneration technology, and analyses the contact process of rough surfaces in the elastic and elastic-plastic state. Firstly, based on the real machined surface topography, the fractal parameters are estimated by the FPENN method. Then, the discrete digital WM surface is reconstructed, and the finite element model is generated based on the mesh regeneration method to study different surface contact characteristics considering the interaction of the asperity-substrate. Finally, the ball-surface contact is verified by the UMT-5, compared with the finite element results. The results show that the displacement deformation curve and stiffness curve are closer to the experiment when considering the elastic-plastic interaction. More importantly, plastic deformation of the asperity is inevitable.