Transient thermomechanical analysis of micro cylindrical asperity sliding contact of SnSbCu alloy

A transient thermomechanical sliding model for the contact between elastic-plastic asperities is established to analyze the contact behaviors of micro asperity in the sliding process. During the process, the coupling effect of temperature and strain rate on material properties is considered. The SnSbCu alloy is focused as it is a common journal bearing material in marine engine. The results show that the effect of temperature and strain rate on the material properties should be considered in the asperity sliding process at the micro scale, which could make the contact model more practical and accurate. Based on the sliding contact model, the influence of sliding conditions and mechanical properties of material on contact behaviors is studied.