Finite element simulation of phase difference effects on fretting fatigue crack nucleation behaviour

Fretting fatigue is a mechanical failure process, which consists of two complex failure mechanisms. Fretting is caused by small relative movement between connected parts and fatigue is due to alternating bulk load. Fretting fatigue is highly non-linear and subjected to non-proportional loading condition. The multiaxial nature of stress at contact interface can be highly influenced by different phase difference between axial, tangential and contact load. In this study, the effect of different phase difference between axial and tangential load on fretting fatigue behaviour is investigated. Moreover, by applying cyclic contact load instead of constant contact load, its effect on fretting fatigue response and crack initiation lifetime is investigated. It was found that the phase difference affects the maximum location of dissipated energy along with fretting fatigue crack initiation lifetime.