Fretting fatigue strength and life estimation considering the fretting wear process

In this paper we present the estimation methods of fretting wear process and fretting fatigue life using this wear process. Firstly the fretting-wear process was estimated using contact pressure and relative slippage. And then the stress intensity factor for cracking due to fretting fatigue was calculated by using contact pressure and frictional stress distributions, which were analyzed by the finite element method. The S-N curves of fretting fatigue were predicted by using the relationship between the calculated stress intensity factor range (Delta K) with the threshold stress intensity factor range (Delta Kth) and the crack propagation rate (da/dN) obtained using CT specimens of the material. Finally fretting fatigue tests were conducted on Ni-Cr-Mo-V steel specimens. The S-N curves of our experimental results were in good agreement with the analytical results obtained by considering fretting wear process. Using these estimation methods we can explain many fretting troubles in industrial fields.