Flattening of a deformable sphere by a rigid sphere during transient thermo-mechanical contact

A finite element model is developed to study the transient thermo-mechanical contact between a rigid sphere and an elastic–plastic sphere. Interference and tangential displacement are applied to the rigid sphere while the elastic–plastic sphere is stationary. The radius of the rigid sphere is larger than that of the elastic–plastic sphere to model flattening. Universal solutions are obtained for the maximum contact force, the maximum contact area, the maximum residual interference, and the maximum temperature rise independent of sphere radius, material properties and loading parameters. The effects of various parameters (sphere radius, interference, coefficient of friction, sliding velocity and material properties) on the contact characteristics of the deformable sphere are discussed.

► Flattening of an elastic–plastic sphere by a rigid sphere was studied.
► Universal solutions were obtained for maximum contact force and temperature rise.
► Most of the plastic deformation occurs during the loading phase.
► Maximum interfacial temperature was shifted to the leading edge of the contact zone.