A Statistically Based Investigation of the Environmental and Cyclic Stress Effects on Fretting Fatigue

Abstract

A completely randomized factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the environmental and cyclic stress effects on the fretting fatigue behavior of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy. Fretting fatigue tests were conducted in vacuum (10−5 Torr) and in laboratory air environment at two maximum cyclic stress levels. The fractographic features of the wear surface with respect to different environments were examined. The experimental results and statistical analysis showed that the environment, cyclic stress, and their interactions were significant factors in reducing the life of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy under fretting conditions. The fractographic analysis showed that fretting damage led to the development of cracks in the fretting areas in both environments. However, the mechanisms involved in crack development were different. The reduction in fatigue life under fretting condition was explained by a model utilizing fracture mechanics concepts.