Simulation concept for surface designs increasing the coefficient of static friction

The objective of the simulation concept for the design of surfaces is the prediction of trends relating to the coefficient of static fric-tion of two friction partners. For the overall consideration, further influencing variables have to be considered, since an exclusive focus on the coefficient of static friction can only inadequately describe the complex tribological behaviour when two surfaces come into contact. To calculate these characteristic values, a multi-stage simulation and calculation approach was developed in which, starting from the generation of experimentally measured or artificially generated surface topography data (stage 1), the true contact area as well as the stress and deformation behaviour when two surfaces come into contact are simulated in contact simula-tions (stage 2). Finally, the coefficient of static friction is calculated based on a micro-roughness model taken from the literature and statistical homogenization (stage 3). The accuracy and validity of the workflow was demonstrated in the experimental valida-tion using ground sample surfaces. Trends with regard to the coefficients of static friction were reliably represented. In addition a method for generating synthetic stochastic surfaces as simulation input was developed. Due to the given comparability with experi-mental surfaces in terms of the geometric properties and the resulting friction behaviour, virtual surfaces can also be used in the future as input of the multistage calculation workflow and applied in simulative parameter studies.