The effect of frequency on fretting in a micro-spherical contact

The effect of frequency on fretting in a micro-spherical contact is investigated experimentally using AISI 304 stainless steel samples. The relative displacement and dissipated energy are determined in the frequency range from 1 Hz up to 80 Hz along with the variation of the maximum friction coefficient. The size of the wear scars is analyzed at the end of each fretting test and correlated with the theoretically calculated contact area of a reciprocating rough spherical contact. Good correlation is found between the size of the wear scar and the accumulated dissipated energy. The maximum measured friction coefficient compares well with predictions for a rough spherical contact model.

Research highlights
► The measured maximum friction coefficient correlates well with theoretical results.
► The relative displacement and accumulated dissipated energy decrease with increasing frequency.
► Asperity flattening reduces the plasticity index and increases the maximum friction coefficient.