A generalized fretting wear theory

Combined impact-sliding fretting wear is a complex phenomenon due to the random nature of the excitation force and the self-induced tribological changes. Available models, which relate wear losses to the process variables, are empirical in nature and bear no physical similarity to the actual mathematical and physical attributes of the wear process. A generalized fretting wear theory is presented to mathematically describe the fretting wear process under various modes of motion; impact, sliding and oscillatory. This theory, which is based on the findings from the fracture mechanics analysis of the crack initiation and propagation processes, takes into consideration the simultaneous action of both the surface adhesion and subsurface fatigue mechanisms. The theory also accounts for the micro-, and macro-contact configuration of the fretting tribo-system. The closed form solution requires the calibration of a single parameter, using a limited number of experiments, to account for the effect of environment and the support material. The model was validated using experimental data that were reported for Inconel 600 and Incoloy 800 materials at room and high temperature environment, and for different types of motion. The results showed that model can accurately predict wear losses within a factor of ±3. This narrow range presents better than an order of magnitude improvement over the current state-of-the-art models.