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arXiv · 0706.2762

Contact mechanics: relation between interfacial separation and load

B. N. J. Persson
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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 non-adhesive inte raction and small applied pressure, p is proportional to exp (-u/u_0), in good agreement with recent experimental observation.

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B. N. J. Persson. 2007-06-19. Contact mechanics: relation between interfacial separation and load. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.99.125502

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