Exponential evolution law of fretting wear damage in low-friction coatings for aerospace components

Friction coefficient evolution in low-friction coatings subjected to fretting wear was measured and described using a power-law relation for the development of Kachanov-type damage parameter as a function of accumulated reciprocal sliding distance. Fretting wear tests were performed using idealised contact geometry and loading conditions similar to those found in aero-engine components. A conventional dry film lubricant coating and a mechano-chemical coating were considered, together with various surface pre-treatments, such as high intensity shot peening, shot peening and grit blasting. Results show that friction coefficient growth rate with respect to sliding distance is expressed as a power-law function of the friction coefficient itself. Two parameters were identified that determine the friction coefficient evolution: the damage rate constant and the damage exponent. The damage exponent was found to be close to unity, suggesting an exponential relation between damage and accumulated reciprocal sliding distance, and allowing a mechanical interpretation based on the consideration of energy dissipation in a fretting contact.