All Topics  
Asperity

 

   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link






 

Asperity



 
 
Asperity is defined as unevenness of surface, roughness, ruggedness (OED). Flat surfaces, even those polished to a mirror finish, are not truly flat on an atomic scale. They are rough, with sharp, rough or rugged outgrowth, termed asperities.

When two macroscopically flat surfaces come into contact, initially they only touch at a few of these asperity points. These cover only a very small portion of the surface area.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Asperity'
Start a new discussion about 'Asperity'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Asperity is defined as unevenness of surface, roughness, ruggedness (OED). Flat surfaces, even those polished to a mirror finish, are not truly flat on an atomic scale. They are rough, with sharp, rough or rugged outgrowth, termed asperities.

When two macroscopically flat surfaces come into contact, initially they only touch at a few of these asperity points. These cover only a very small portion of the surface area. Friction
Friction

File:Friction alt.svgFriction is the force resisting the relative lateral motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, or material elements in contact....
 and wear
Wear

In materials science, wear is the erosion of material from a solid surface by the action of another substance. The study of the processes of wear is part of the discipline of tribology....
 originate at these points and thus understanding their behavior is important when studying materials in contact. When the surfaces are subjected to a compressive load, the asperities plastically deform, increasing the contact area between the two surfaces until the contact area is sufficient to support the load.

The Archard equation
Archard equation

The Archard equation is a simple mathematical model used to describe sliding wear and is based around the theory of asperity contact....
 is a simplified model of asperity deformation when materials in contact are subject to a force.

See also

Naturally occurring earthquakes
Earthquake

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph....


External links