Research project

This project focuses on the influence of the microstructure on the fretting fatigue behaviour of alpha-iron and plain carbon steels with carbon contents in the range of 0.15% up to 0.85 %. Using a modified vibrophore system, stress-controlled symmetrical fretting fatigue tests at room-temperature are performed. The normal load of the fretting pads are varied in a broad range from 6,5 MPa up to 100 MPa. Well defined changes in the microstructure, such as different pearlite morphologies, changes in the ferrite–pearlite ratio and changes in the grain size will allow to derive a detailed understanding of the influence of the microstructure on the fretting fatigue behaviour. The investigations are performed in air as well as under vacuum. Accomplished microstructural investigations, which are currently under way, of the fatigued specimens will lead to a detailed understanding of the relevant damage mechanisms