Effect of high temperature on the characterization of fretting wear regimes at Ti6Al4V interfaces

Fretting wear is a destructive phenomenon that can accelerate crack initiation in vibrating components, leading to premature catastrophic failures. Among the most important characteristics of fretting is the transition from mixed fretting wear to gross slip because of its detrimental effects on fatigue life. In this paper, a study was conducted that characterized the critical normal loads and displacements corresponding to this transition in Ti6Al4V interfaces at room temperature and 450 °C (842 °F). Experimental testing shows that there is a relationship between critical load and displacement that is temperature dependant. Tests conducted at or near the critical values of load and displacement exhibited extreme galling and evidence of cold welding. In the gross slip tests, the measured coefficient of friction also varied with applied load, which correlates with the Hertzian contact model.