An investigation on fretting fatigue mechanism under complex cyclic loading conditions

In this paper, a methodology was proposed and an experimental configuration was designed to investigate the fretting fatigue mechanism under complex cyclic loading condition. This condition is common and highly influences the fretting fatigue behavior. However, it is barely studied at present. A series of fretting fatigue tests shown that cyclic normal load will enlarge the slip region of contact interfaces, making the crack nucleation location moves toward the middle range of contact region. It is demonstrated that complex cyclic loads have a positive effect of fretting damage, making the fatigue life shorter than those in constant normal loading conditions.