Finite element analysis on local yield map and critical maximum contact pressure for yielding in hard coating with an interlayer under sliding contact

Micro-crack in the hard coating initiates usually from the local yield position. To prevent the crack to occur, the most important criterion is to satisfy the condition that the von Mises stress is less than the yield strength of material. In this paper, the local yield map showing the yielding position are introduced by using the finite element method and the criterion. The critical maximum contact pressures for yielding at the different positions were calculated by using the coating thickness, friction coefficient and the yield strength, where a critical range of yield strength ratio for the transition of yielding positions was found for 0.4 similar to 0.5. When the yield strength ratio is less than the range, yielding initiates from the interlayer and when the ratio is larger than the range, yielding initiates at the surface for high friction coefficient and in the base for low friction coefficient. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.