Electrical resistance of random rough contacting surfaces using fractal surface modeling

A method for calculating electrical contact resistance utilizing fractal geometry is described. The base model is a modified version of the model of A. Maujamdar and C.L. Tien (1989), which calculates the bulk resistance of a structure of cumulative multilevel asperities. This updated model is then further extended to include the effect of constriction resistance. Two existing models, given by J.A. Greenwood and J.B.P. Williamson (1966), and M.M. Yovanovich (1981), are reviewed and compared numerically to the proposed model. This comparison shows good agreement among the three approaches.<>