An experimental investigation of scuffing initiation due to axial displacement in a rolling/sliding contact

This paper presents an investigation into the effect of axial displacement on the initiation of scuffing in a rolling/sliding contact by means of a twin-disc test device. Firstly, an existing twin-disc test device is modified to be suitable for applying axial displacement cycles and a rolling/sliding motion to the disc contact. Secondly, the results of two test series are analysed. Both series are subjected to a combined step-wise increasing normal force and constant rolling/sliding loading. The first series is without axial displacement, while in the second series, continuously reciprocating axial displacement cycles are applied starting at a specific normal force level. The results show that a stabilized axial displacement loading can increase the scuffing load carrying capacity.