Stress state characterization of ductile materials during scratch abrasion

Abrasive wear limits the lifetime of many machine components. Most empirical models relate the abrasive wear resistance to material hardness. In reality, however, other material properties are also influencing as scratch abrasion damage follows from a highly complex stress trajectory upon scratching. Numerical (finite element) simulation of scratch abrasion requires the use of a material damage model, which translates this stress trajectory into material degradation and removal. Most damage models include the first two stress invariants. However, fully incorporating the complex stress trajectories that occur during scratch abrasion may require damage models with dependence of the third deviatoric parameter (Lode angle). This paper serves as an a-priori study to evaluate the stress states that may occur during scratch abrasion. Three mechanisms (ploughing, wedging, cutting) are considered. Hereto, the results of an extensive parametric study using elastic-plastic finite element simulations of a scratch indentation process are discussed. Complex, non-proportional variations in stress state values are observed to occur during scratch abrasion. Distinct stress state trajectories are identified for the three abovementioned mechanisms. These variations are critically discussed to motivate a selection of suitable damage models for rigorous finite element analysis of the wear processes associated with scratch abrasion.