Abstract
Bolted joints are frequently subjected to self-loosening (gradual loss of clamping force) causing multiple failures, especially leaking and breaking of mechanical systems. Such physical phenomena would occur whatever the considered coating (Ag, MoS 2 , Zn-Ni and others). To enlighten this phenomenon, which remains rather misunderstood due to the confined nature of bolted joint contacts, a coupled experimental-numerical approach is adopted on a bolted joint with silver coating. Indeed, from tribological expert assessments of disassembled joints without loosening , a local view of nut/screw threads contacts is proposed, using discrete element method. This method becomes essential in tribology since it offers the ability to model the dynamic behavior of a contact interface. The model is based on a Non-Smooth Contacts Dynamics approach. The case of third body formed in contacts during tightening process, which has been ignored so far, is placed at the focus of self-loosening phenomenon.