Effect of contact pad rigidity on fretting fatigue behavior of NiCrMoV turbine steel

Abstract In the present study, the effect of contact pad rigidity on fretting fatigue strength of turbine steels (Ni–Cr–Mo–V steel specimen with 12-Cr steel contact pad) was investigated by conducting fretting fatigue tests with various foot heights of contact pads. Finite element analysis was also carried out to evaluate the stress distribution near the contact edge. From the results, higher tangential stress at the contact edge was induced by higher rigidity contact pad, while higher compressive stress at the contact edge was also induced by higher rigidity contact pad. Fretting fatigue strength was influenced not only by tangential stress but also by compressive stress. A design curve defined by two parameters (tangential stress and compressive stress) to predict fretting fatigue life was proposed.