Fretting fatigue strength reduction factor for interference fits

This work is based on a comparison between experimental data and finite element analysis for many configurations of interference fits in rotating bending and alternated torsion. Refined mesh and sub modeling techniques were used to obtain converged results. Contact convergence was achieved using augmented Lagrangian algorithm, with penetration control equal to 0.1% on radial interference and allowable elastic slip of 0.1 μm. Fatigue results are presented for 4 different fatigue criteria: Von Mises, Sine, Crossland and Dang Van. Dang Van criterion gives the most consistent results and shows no evidence of a correlation between sliding amplitude and fatigue life. Relative slip seems to be a consequence rather than the cause, excluding cases with important wear. A fretting fatigue strength reduction factor was calculated for the fretting zone. Its value is between 0.35 and 0.69 depending on the chosen criterion, but varies for different materials and/or loading types. Results give a good fatigue life approximation and can easily be used to optimize the shape of the interference fits.