Numerical analysis of quasistatic frictional contact of an elastic block under combined normal and tangential cyclic loading

Contact between solid bodies has become important in manufacturing in recent years as joining processes involving frictional contact such as friction stir welding and ultrasonic welding have shown significant promise in a number of applications, including the automotive industry. In this study, contact between an elastic block and a rigid surface under normal and/or tangential cyclic loading with mean normal loading is investigated using a commercial FEM package, ABAQUS. The slip/stick status and frictional energy dissipation per cycle are investigated for select combined loading conditions, as well as for different block heights, and cyclic loading frequencies. The results indicate that the combined cyclic loading has the potential to improve ultrasonic weld quality. ► Frictional contact with combined normal and tangential cyclic loading is studied. ► It results in spatially non-alternating slip/stick, with the same frequency. ► It can produce spatially alternating slip/stick, with the different frequencies. ► It can also reduce the possibility of local slip, with the different frequencies. ► Thus it can improve quality of ultrasonic welding, with different frequencies.