Contact mechanics, needs for broader application
Résumé
Contact mechanics is a well established subject, often associated with the work of Boussinesq and Hertz, but larger in scope. This paper discusses new areas where contact mechanics could contribute extensively if a certain number of questions were answered. Some domains just lack data to include in existing models; for instance information on the thermo-mechanical properties of thin coatings is lacking, and an effort in that direction would open up the design of coated machine elements to contact mechanics. Similar deficiencies are noted in fracture mechanics. In other areas, transfer of contact mechanics methods to industrial problems is hindered by changes in material properties under working conditions. Flow stress, toughness, etc vary during most sliding or rolling operations, and contact analyses should include these variations. A strong cooperation between mathematicians, mechanical engineers and material scientists can extend the field of application of contact mechanics in the design of machine elements.