Experimental Determination of Contact Area Between a Sphere and a Circular Plate Using a Technique Based on Laser Profilometry

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental determination of contact area between a steel sphere and a sapphire circular plate, using a technique based on laser profilometry. The reflectivity value is smaller inside contact area than outside, modern laser profilometers can measure surface reflectivity and thus, it can offer information regarding the contact area. In order to investigate the thickness effect on the contact area, the contact is modelled in two situations, using two circular plates with different thicknesses.