TEORIA DA CONFIABILIDADE APLICADA NA AVALIAÇÃO DA VIDA EM FADIGA-DE-CONTATO

Reliability is a fundamental tool in the development of projects since it allows the improvement of performance through the reduction of the failure probability of the products. In this study the reliability theory was applied as the criteria for design and selection of cast irons with high hardness matrix used in different applications. Based on these concepts and from information generated in laboratory tests, in a rolling contact fatigue testing machine, reliability analysis using non parametric approaches and the Weibull´s distribution is developed, in order to characterize reliability, probability of failure, and the rate of failure of both materials (gray cast iron and ductile cast iron). When comparing both methods, similar results were obtained, but the parametric approach (Weibull distribution) has better represented the phenomenon under analysis.