A series of fretting test were carried out using a DELTA PLINT testing system to study the influence of hydraulic oil and water on fretting behaviour of AISI 52100 steel rubbing against AISI 1045 steel. The test result shows that media hydraulic oil and water have a distinct influence on fretting behaviour of the tested materials. Medium water can lead to shifting of the partial slip regime in the fretting map from a larger displacement amplitude toward a smaller one and enlargement of the mixed slip regime, in comparison with that in ambient atmosphere. While medium hydraulic oil can result in shifting of the partial slip regime from a smaller displacement amplitude toward a larger one. In the gross slip regime, hydraulic oil and water play a positive role as lubrication media. They can clearly decrease the fretting friction coefficient between AISI 52100 and AISI 1045. The test result also demonstrates that this lubrication effect will get better with increasing displacement amplitude and that hydraulic oil is better than water for lubrication. SEM observation of the wear scars displays that the fretting wear mainly results from abrasive wear and delamination of the fretted materials when using these two kinds of substances as lubrication media.
