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INTRODUCTION
Fretting occurs when two bodies under load have small amplitude oscillatory motion in between them. Fretting wear is predominantly dependent on contact pressure, slip amplitude, frequency of oscillation, number of fretting cycles and lubrication. Johansson1 indicated that the contact pressure for fretted surfaces is significantly different than predicted by Hertzian theory. Severely fretted surfaces are likely to contain microcracks or may damage the EHD lubrication leading to formation of areas of high stress concentration.2 Such areas subjected to fatigue loading will lead to premature spalling and reduction of contact fatigue life of the material. The effect of fretting wear on rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life of bearing materials has not been studied previously. Since rolling contact fatigue is common in tribo-machinery it is therefore, of significant importance to investigate how fretting wear affects the rolling contact fatigue life. In the present work different types of fretting wear patterns were obtained by changing the number of fretting cycles and keeping the contact pressure, slip amplitude, frequency of oscillation and lubricated condition constant. Fretted rods were then tested for...