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.