Electrical performance of textured stainless steel under fretting

Sliding between two couplings is the most common situation caused by dynamic solicitations, especially fretting. Preliminary studies suggest the relevance of contact compliance as well as the debris removable and agglomeration affinities. The present work aims to analyse surface texturing influence, on the friction and electric conduction of AISI 304/301 stainless steel subjected to reciprocating fretting tests. Textured surfaces present, most of the times, an increase in life expectancy of the electric connection. The ability to accommodate oxidize wear debris depends on the available open texture (hollow) volume and couplings contact size.