Finite element model of elastic stresses in thin coatings submitted to applied forces

The aim of this paper is to describe a finite element method used to invest igate the contact stresses due to a combination of normal and tangential fo rces in coating-substrate systems. The stresses have been computed for vari ous values of the coating-to-substrate Young's modulus ratio, friction coef ficient and coating thickness. Results of simulations showed that the influ ence of coating thickness on the stresses (at the surface and the interface ) was as important as coating-to-substrate Young's modulus ratio was high. The magnitude of von Mises stress and the location of its maximum depend st rongly on both friction coefficient and coating-to-substrate Young's modulu s ratio. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.