Fretting Wear Test Rig

Design and Development

_______________________________________________________________

Fretting is a small amplitude oscillatory movement that occurs between two normally loaded contacting surfaces. Fretting wear is a serious issue in the bearing assemblies, bolted and rived joints, and machine assemblies. Understanding the fretting wear characteristics and contact conditions will enable better selection of surface treatments, material combination, and part life prediction.

Fretting wear test device developed makes use of mechanical linkage system for imposing the displacement amplitude. The test rig is capable of evaluating the various influencing parameters such as slip amplitude, normal force, frequency, material, fretting cycle duration, and lubrication. Monitoring of the mechanical contact response system during fretting is incorporated for characterizing the contact response.

The fretting wear test machine developed is capable of varying the slip amplitudes ranging from 20 to 200 microns. Various specimen geometries can be employed. On-line monitoring and recording of the coefficient of friction and slip amplitude can be carried out.