The effect of laser polishing on fretting wear between a hemisphere and a flat plate

Fretting wear between a hemisphere and a flat plate is investigated experimentally and the effect of laser polishing is studied. The energy dissipated between the hemisphere and the flat plate is determined as a function of operating conditions such as frequency and normal load and material properties such as surface roughness, and related to the wear observed at the sliding interface. Abrasive, adhesive and tribo-chemical wear are formed on the hemisphere and flat plate. No significant difference in wear production between a laser polished and a regular stainless steel hemisphere was observed.