Modelling and evaluation of the fretting fatigue cracking risk in smooth spherical contacts

► Promising correlation was found between the model and the experimental results. ► The statistical size factor related to Findley fatigue criteria is of the order of 1.2-1.3. ► The highest friction coefficient and tangential force values at the beginning of the test dominate crack initiation. ►A higher tangential force is needed for cracking at high normal force levels than at a low normal force level.