--- type: "WebPage" title: "Laboratory fretting testing" description: "You would like to carry out fretting tests on your materials What is fretting? Fretting is a wear phenomenon that occurs when two surfaces in contact undergo very small repeated relative movements, usually caused by vibrations or cyclic loads.These micro-movements..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/fretting-testing/" tags: ["EN", "pll_684ae45e46777", "Thomas GAUTIER"] timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:27Z" published: "2025-06-13T06:39:45Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Laboratory fretting testing ## You would like to carry out fretting tests on your materials ### What is fretting? Fretting is a wear phenomenon that occurs when two surfaces in contact undergo very small repeated relative movements, usually caused by vibrations or cyclic loads. These micro-movements cause localized wear, often accompanied by oxidation or the formation of cracks, which can ultimately lead to premature failure of the assembly. ### Why perform fretting testing? Fretting testing allow above all to**anticipate premature failures** at the level of your assemblies or critical interfaces, often subject to vibrations or cyclic loads. They also serve to **validate the effectiveness of an anti-fretting coating or lubrication**, by measuring their real impact on surface wear. These tests make it possible to **objectively compare different materials, treatments or geometries**, to guide your technical choices during the design or optimization phase. They also meet **specific customer requirements**, or **quality issues identified in production**, when a wear defect is suspected. Finally, fretting tests are a security **lever for the development of new components** exposed to complex vibratory conditions. ## FILAB supports you in conducting fretting testing on your materials ### Why choose FILAB for your fretting testing in the laboratory ? The FILAB laboratory provides you with a **complete and tailor-made approach** to understand and master fretting phenomena. Thanks to a state-of-the-art [**analytical park**](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) and a team of engineers specialized in surface analysis, tribology, metallurgy and fatigue, we are able to**simulate your real conditions of use**, to **adapt the testing protocols to your constraints**, and especially to finely characterize the damaged areas (wear, oxidation, cracks…). ![essais fretting](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/fretting-r77c1j7k3u96heytkshtgbulb6obitlwlfy6ezo44c.png) ## Our other services [Mechanical tests](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test.md): [endurance](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/endurance-testing-tribology.md), [bend](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/bend-testing.md), [tensile](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/tensile-test-materials-laboratory.md), [fatigue](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/endurance-test-fatigue-testing.md) [Expertise in surface coating](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-surface-coating-characterization.md) on materials [Surface analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md): [roughness](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-roughness-analysis/surface-roughness-measurement.md), [thickness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-coating-thickness-measurement.md), [topographical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/analysis-surface-topography.md) and [morphological](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/laboratory-analysis-morphology/) analysis [R&D support](https://filab.fr/en/service-providing-laboratory.md) in the choice of surface treatments or cleaning processes ## FAQ In which industrial sectors do we encounter fretting problems? Fretting is common in many industrial environments subject to micro-movements, such as : - Aerospace (fasteners, metal interfaces, vibrating parts) - Automotive (shafts, bearings, engine contact zones) - Energy (components subject to thermal or mechanical vibration) - Medical devices (implants, articulated prostheses) Railways, defence, tools, etc. How does a laboratory fretting test work? A fretting test generally involves : - Preparation of the samples (materials, specific geometries) - Mounting in a dedicated fretting machine: it applies a normal load and a controlled oscillatory movement - Definition of the test parameters: force, displacement amplitude, frequency, temperature, atmosphere (air, inerting, etc.) - Data recording: friction coefficients, force evolution, wear, temperature, etc. - Post-test analysis: lost volume measurements, SEM observations, surface analyses (EDS, XPS, etc.), etc What are the expected results of a fretting test? Results can include: - Measured wear (loss of mass or volume) - The coefficient of friction recorded during the test - Analysis of surface damage (cracking, delamination, oxidation, etc.) - Performance comparisons between materials, treatments, lubricants or conditions of use What types of materials can be tested in fretting? All types of materials can be subjected to fretting tests: - Metals and alloys (steel, titanium, aluminium, copper, etc.) - Coatings (PVD, anodising, nitriding, etc.) - Technical polymers (PEEK, PTFE, etc.) - Ceramics or composites Hybrid or bi-materials (for medical implants, electronic devices, etc.)   Is it possible to combine the fretting test with additional analysis? Yes, and it's even recommended. After the test, we often suggest : - Surface observations (SEM, optical microscope, profilometry) - Chemical analysis of worn areas (EDS, XPS, FTIR, Raman, etc.) - Analysis of wear debris - Hardness, microstructure and porosity measurements This combination provides a detailed understanding of damage mechanisms (adhesion, abrasion, fatigue, oxidation, etc.).