Fretting Fatigue Model

The proposed effort is aimed at developing and experimentally validating a model and software for life prediction of structures prone to fretting fatigue damage in benign as well as corrosive environments. An innovative approach with high probability ofsuccess is proposed. The proposed modeling framework is based on a recent breakthrough approach developed by Research Applications, Inc. (RAI) that has captured the attention of several military aerospace and commercial heavy equipment manufacturers. InPhase I, RAI's mechanics based model and framework will be validated using available test data on an alloy of direct interest to the Air Force. The framework will be designed to complement ongoing research and development at AFRL on corrosion fatigue lifeprediction and for further development in Phase II as a stand-alone software product for marketing to the commercial sector. The proposed model will directly benefit prognostic and diagnostic methods developments related to Condition Based Monitoring,Structural Health Monitoring and Aging Aircraft efforts of the Air Force. The need for a Fretting fatigue life prediction model goes well beyond military and aerospace structures. A much broader market exists in virtually all mechanical equipmentindustries such as automotive, heavy equipment (e.g., Caterpillar), electronics and electrical, health (orthopedic implants) and MEMS. The proposed product will have an immediate and broad market.