Modeling method and verification of interface contact stiffness based on micro-surface morphology detection

A novel elastic-plastic theoretical calculation model for interfacial contact stiffness has been deduced and established based on the observed characteristics of the interface microstructure. In this research, the deformation of asperities under the action of loads is partitioned into two stages. In light of the feature that the interfacial plastic deformation can be eliminated after multiple contact compressions, a computational model for interfacial contact characteristics is put forward, which solely takes into account the elastic deformation of asperities. Through the numerical simulation of the constructed model, the nonlinear relationships between the interfacial contact loads, contact stiffness, and interfacial contact distance are intuitively revealed. The effectiveness of the proposed model is verified by comparing it with experimental results, Xiao Huifang’s corrected experimental contact model, the KE statistical contact model, and the GW model. The proposed calculation model of rough interfacial contact stiffness offers certain references for the calculation of contact loads and contact stiffness, as well as for the performance prediction and optimization of mechanical interfaces.