The influence of an edge radius on the local stress field at the edge of a complete fretting contact

The state of stress adjacent to the corner of a complete or almost complete fretting contact pad is studied using the corresponding Muskhelishvili potentials. Three potential are employed; that for a semi-infinite rigid punch, that for a finite square-ended rigid punch, and that for a punch having a flat form with radiused corners. It is shown that the asymptotic stress field (the semi-infinite punch) matches the finite punch well over a large region. Further, the edge radius which can be tolerated, but still giving rise to a local stress field which can be approximated by the asymptotic solution is found. The implication of these results for the application of an asymptotic approach to the design of almost complete fretting contacts is described