Tangential traction instability in fretting contact below fully developed friction load

Abstract

Fretting experiments were run below fully developed friction load levels, and the stability of friction was investigated. It was observed that stable friction behavior can be achieved if friction load per normal load is limited to maximum of about 0.5. Exceeding this value leads to increasing instability in friction until gross sliding is achieved. Minute surface sliding, in range of few micrometers, occurred even at these load levels, which may contribute to friction instabilities.