Numerical Simulation of Fretting Wear at the Dimple/Gimbal Interface

Abstract

A numerical model for the simulation of fretting wear at the dimple/gimbal interface of a hard disk drive suspension has been developed. The friction and wear coefficients used in the model are determined from experimental measurements. Archard’s wear equation is implemented numerically and the contact interface geometry is updated incrementally. The von Mises stress distribution and the worn surface profiles are determined.