The analysis of fretting fatigue in forced-in joint with the induction-hardened shaft

Abstract

Subject to the analysis was a tribological kinematic pair consisting of shaft and sleeve, both made of C45 steel. The elements were joined by pressing with the 0.02 mm tolerance. The shaft was subjected to the finishing and strengthening treatment consisting in induction hardening. The tribological kinematic pair made in such way was tested on a fatigue testing machine, which permitted obtaining a rotational bending moment. Macroscopic investigations of the unhardened shaft demonstrated, on the shaft surface, the traces of fretting wear in the form of a ring of the uniform width comprising the entire axle seat circumference. Based on the test results, it may be concluded that the use of the shaft induction hardening process has caused the reduction of fretting wear development compared to shafts without additional treatment. In this case, Wear traces in the form of small diameter ring comprising the entire shaft circumference are observed on one side of the shaft axle seat.