Finite element analysis of indentation contact of double piezoelectric spheres

Abstract As a result of the limited research works on the contact between piezoelectric materials, this research seeks to delve into this area, by using the finite element method. A two-dimensional finite element model of nanoindentation response of piezoelectric materials is established via this method. The axisymmetric contact behavior of the two transversely isotropic piezoelectric spheres under the condition of friction-free sliding is analyzed, and the relationship between indentation displacement, electric potential and contact force is obtained, which are linear and quadratic respectively. The results show that the variation trend of the stress field and electric field at the contact boundary presents a non-monotonic relationship with an increase in the distance from the indenter to the center of the loading axis. In addition, the results of finite element numerical simulation are in good agreement with the numerical verification results. For semi-infinite materials, the model can be used for accurate contact analysis, which guides verifying the extraction technology of contact characteristics of finite piezoelectric materials. The results obtained in this paper are helpful to understand the microscopic contact mechanics of piezoelectric materials.