A Method for Characterizing Running-In of Sliding Contacts

Although in terms of conservation wear is undesirable, however, running-in wear is encouraged rather than avoided. Running-in is rather complex and most of the studies related to the change in micro-geometry have been conducted statistically. The purpose of this study was to characterize the running-in of sliding contacts using finite element analysis based on measured micro-geometries. The developed model combines the finite element simulation, Archard’s wear equation and updated geometry to calculate the contact pressure distribution and wear depth. Results show that the proposed model is able to predict the running-in phase of sliding contact system.