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Maximum contact pressure between two spheres

Description

Contact mechanics is the study of the deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points. Hertzian contact stress refers to the localized stresses that develop as two curved surfaces come in contact and deform slightly under the imposed loads. This amount of deformation is dependent on the modulus of elasticity of the material in contact. It gives the contact stress as a function of the normal contact force, the radii of curvature of both bodies and the modulus of elasticity of both bodies. The maximum contact pressure between two spheres is related to the applied load and the radius of the circle of the contact area.

Related formulas

Variables

p0Maximum contact pressure (Pa)
FForce applied on the contact area (N)
πpi
aRadius of the circle of the contact area (m)