Design and Development of Surface Texture for Tribological Application

Abstract

Surface texturing is a process of fabricating specific patterns on a surface to enhance surface properties such as friction, contact area, air aspiration, wear, hydrophobicity, etc. Fabricating surfaces with planned micro features is an effective method to improve tribological performance of the interacting surfaces. Laser surface texturing process is one of the best suitable processes for producing micro-patterns. Micro textures are imparted on HSS discs using CO2 laser, varying the shape and dimensions of the resulting dimples affecting the frictional coefficient and wear. Experiments have been accomplished to determine effects of textural variations such as areal density of dimples, dimple shape, area of dimples and depth of dimples on the Coefficient of Friction (COF) and Wear. Effects of lubrication conditions (Dry and Wet), pin material (MS, SS, EN31), applied load (25N, 50N, 75N) and Sliding velocity (400 rpm, 800 rpm and 1200 rpm) are evaluated on COF and Wear. Tests have been performed on pin-on-disk apparatus along guidelines of Taguchi L18 Orthogonal Array, keeping constant sliding distance of 940 m (about 10,000 cycles). Experimentally, it is found that wet lubricated, circular shaped dimples, with areal density 7.5%, dimple area 0.09 mm2 with MS material pin provides best results. This experimental analysis has been performed to test the applicability, efficiency and reliability of the textured surfaces.