Abstract
In this paper fretting fatigue is addressed as a potential design consideration for wellhead connectors. The study of near-edge relative motion for frictional contacts under constant normal load is described using analytical, numerical and asymptotic methods. Based on published fretting fatigue experimental data an argument is drawn for a generalised fretting fatigue test design. We do this by reducing the parameters responsible for crack nucleation to the smallest number possible and thereby revealing the fretting fatigue strength as a material property independent of geometrical features. Easy to apply recipes are described and thoughts on a potential apparatus are shared with the reader. Commercial potential lies in the wide-ranging applicability of experimental results across many prototypes and loadings once an appropriate amount of fretting fatigue data has been generated for the material in question.
