A microscale dynamical model for wear simulation

A computational approach, the so-called Micro-Scale Dynamical Model (MSDM), was developed to simulate wear processes and to predict material performan ce during wear processes. In this model, a material system is discretized a nd represented using a discrete lattice. Each lattice site represents a sma ll volume of the material. During a wear process, a lattice site can move u nder influences of external force and the interaction between the site and its adjacent sites. The interaction between a pair of sites is dependent on mechanical properties of the material, such as the elastic modulus, the yi eld stress, the tensile strength, the ductility, and work-hardening. The mo tion and trajectory of a site are determined by Newton's law of motion. The strain between a pair of sites is recoverable if it is within the elastic region, otherwise a plastic strain is caused. When the plastic strain excee ds the critical strain for fracture, the bond between a pair of sites is br oken. A site or a cluster of sites is worn away if all bonds that connect t he site to adjacent sites are broken. Wear loss of a material is affected b y the wear conditions, including external force, deformation rate, and prop erties of the abrasive. Preliminary simulation has demonstrated that this a pproach has a great capability for dynamically simulating wear processes an d predicting material performance during these processes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.