An analysis of contact deformation of auxetic composites

The adaptive mode of frictional interaction has been studied as a self-locking effect upon contact deformation of isotropic and anisotropic auxetic materials with a negative Poisson ratio. This effect manifests itself in the fact that the bearing capacity of the joint rises with increasing shear load. In particular, the parameters of stress state (contact load, tangential stresses, slippage, etc.) were determined for a double-lap joint under conditions of compression with or without shear. The contact interaction was analyzed by the finite-element method for three profiles of symmetrically located contact elements (plane, cylindrical, and wedge-shaped). The Poisson ratio was varied within the range theoretically admissible for isotropic elastic media. Analogous calculations were also performed for a joint with a deformed element made of an anisotropic auxetic composite, whose reinforcement angle was varied. The maximum loads, tangential stresses, and slippage are obtained as nonlinear functions of Poisson ratio (in the isotropic case) and reinforcement angle of the composite material. The stress concentration and the increased ultimate shear forces are also estimated.