Periodic partial slip contact of thermoelectric materials under flat punches or cylindrical punches

Abstract

The study investigates the partial slip contact problem between thermoelectric material and periodic punches including flat and cylindrical punches under various loading conditions, including normal force, energy flux, and electric current density. When developing and enhancing thermoelectric devices intended for energy harvesting and temperature regulation, the relationship between punch geometry and thermoelectric material plays a crucial role. The periodic contact problem leads to the formation of a singular integral equation with a Hilbert kernel, distinguishing it from the traditional Cauchy kernel. It delves into the impact of the thermo-electric-mechanical coupling effect on the evolution of stick-slip zone length and contact stress during partial slip. By formulating the current nonlinear problem into a set of singular integral equations, the study identifies primary variables, including normal and tangential contact stresses, as well as slip and stick zones. The partial contact problem is further simplified by applying the Goodman approximation, enabling an iterative approach to determine the stick-slip zone, contact zone size, and stress distribution. Notably, the research reveals that factors such as the shape of the punch, the coefficient of friction, and TE parameters significantly influence stress strength and the characteristics of the stick-slip zone.