Fretting fatigue tests were carried out in order to investigate the effect of solid lubricant film on fretting fatigue strength of aluminum alloy (JIS A7N01). The ratio of fretting fatigue limit and plain fatigue limit (σwf/σw) for the present material without surface film was about 0.25, which was much lower than other aluminum alloys reported. Fretting fatigue strength was remarkably improved by using the solid lubricant film. The tangential force coefficient for the contact pad with solid lubricant film was significantly low compared to that for the contact pad without film. Heavy damage induced by the fretting on the specimen surface was observed for the case without solid lubricant film. On the other hand, only light damage can be found on the fretting surface for the case of the contact pad with solid lubricant film. Prevention of metal-to-metal contact and low tangential force coefficient due to solid lubricant film may be the main reasons for improved high fretting fatigue strength.
