Relation between interfacial separation and load: A general theory of contact mechanics

Abstract

I study the contact between a rigid solid with a randomly rough surface and an elastic block with a flat surface. I derive a relation between the (average) interfacial separation u and the applied normal squeezing pressure p. I show that, for nonadhesive interaction and small applied pressure, paexpa (-u/u0), in good agreement with recent experimental observations. © 2007 The American Physical Society.