Analysis of Cracks Nucleation of Contact Fatigue Using a Finite Element Program

Abstract

This paper shows the use of the Finite Element Method to simulate the processes of cracks initiation during the surface fatigue in different materials such as: steel, cast iron and polymer. The simulation was carried out using four values of contact tensions below the break limit for each material in which were induced defects like pores with diameters of 0,003 and 0,009 millimeters. As a result of the simulation was obtained the larger and smaller longitude of the semiaxes and the curvature radius ofthe generated ellipse in the induced defect. This last parameter has a significant influence at the process of cracks initiation of contact fatigue, to the same one lineal regression process was applied, being obtained the respective mathematical models, with a superior correlation to 97 %.