Fretting Fatigue in Mechanical Joints

Dear Colleagues,

Fretting occurs when two mating surfaces operate under cycling tangential forces. Consequently, sliding takes place upon the contact area, which triggers significant surface damage. Fretting may be classified based on two effects: (i) surface wear and (ii) fatigue life significant reduction. When the first phenomenon prevails, “fretting wear” takes place. Otherwise, the lifecycle’s drop and the related progressive damage are referenced as “fretting fatigue”.

Press-fitted joints are often affected by fretting fatigue due to the high interfacing load between the shaft and the hub, while relative displacement may be triggered by the bending moment. Well-known applications are in automotive, aircraft, and railway components. Dovetail joints are widely used in aerospace to address blade disk connection and are also widely affected by fretting fatigue. Bolted joints are among the most commonly used joints in every branch of mechanics. Fretting is triggered here by the high normal load at the interface between the connected components and the simultaneous presence of transverse loads or vibrations that promote micro slips.

The present Special Issue deals with the topic of “Fretting Fatigue” involving mechanical joints. The investigated types may range from the aforementioned ones to many other, even unconventional, joining techniques. Both applicative papers dealing with industrial case studies and more theoretical investigations will be accepted. Experimental papers focused on lab testing rigs capable of actually reproducing the fretting phenomenon will be particularly appreciated. The proposal of new materials, new advanced manufacturing processes, and new surface treatments or lubricants reducing wear and improving the fretting fatigue response is also welcome.

Submissions addressing experimental studies, developing numerical or analytical models, and implementing predictive models are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Dario Croccolo
Dr. Mattia Mele
Dr. Giorgio Olmi
Guest Editors

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