Numerical Simulation of Head-Disk Impacts During Dynamic Loading Processes

In order to estimate the contact stress and deformation at the instant of head-disk impact during dynamic loading, Hertz’s impact theory is implemented in a dynamic loading numerical simulator. By using a finite difference model for the air bearing, a finite element model for the slider-flexure-suspension system, and Hertz’s contact model of head-disk impact, we obtain estimates of contact stress, area and time through simulation of the dynamic loading process. With our choice of the material properties and geometric configurations, the duration of sliding contact is about 7 μs, the maximum width of contact is about 10 μm, and the maximum contact stress is about 620 MPa. This is below the yield stresses of the chosen media.