ADHESIVE WEAR PREDICTION THROUGH FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS IN TRIBOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Adhesive wear significantly impacts the performance and longevity of dynamic systems. This study utilizes the finite element method (FEM) to simulate adhesive wear in a pin-on-disc system and calculate the wear volume. Two predictive models are used: Archard's equation and an asperity-level model. Both models are validated against experimental data. Archard's model predicts a higher wear rate, demonstrating a linear relationship between wear volume and load. In contrast, the asperity-level model reveals a non-linear relationship, offering detailed insights into wear and friction mechanisms, particularly the interplay between wear and surface roughness. However, it tends to overestimate static friction coefficients. Archard's more straightforward and user-friendly model is more appropriate for complex systems, providing practical estimates of wear volume.