Effect of surface texture on the friction of WC-TiC/Co cemented carbide under a water-miscible cutting fluid environment

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to clarify the influence mechanism of surface texture (arrays of circular/square and concave/convex) on the frictional properties of WC-TiC/Co cemented carbide under a water-miscible cutting fluid (JAEGER SW-105, 5 per cent) environment.Design/methodology/approachFour types of textured cemented carbide surfaces (arrays of circular/square and concave/convex that have different textured densities and sizes) were fabricated using laser surface technology. Pin-on-disc tests between an AISI 304 stainless steel ball and WC-TiC/Co cemented carbide samples were carried out for a variety of normal loads (1, 3 and 5 N) under a water-miscible cutting fluid environment. The effects of textured type, density and size on the friction coefficient were obtained.FindingsCompared to a smooth surface, some textured samples successfully resulted in a reduced friction coefficient. The friction coefficient of textured WC-TiC/Co cemented carbide samples depended greatly on the textured type, density and size. Given the increase in textured density (ranging from 10 to 30 per cent), the friction coefficient of the test samples first decreased and then increased for all normal loads (1, 3 and 5 N), and the minimum friction coefficient was obtained at the textured density of 20 per cent. The concave textured surface showed obvious advantages in friction coefficient reduction regardless of textured density, size and normal load compared with the convex textured surface. Finally, the correlation between textured diameter/length and Hertzian contact width was studied for various normal loads and texture sizes. A 2.6 ratio of textured diameter/length to Hertzian contact width is recommended under for lubricated sliding contact with the water-miscible cutting fluid.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this work is in providing a design reference and obtaining an essential understanding on the effect of surface texture (arrays of circular/square and concave/convex) on the friction of WC-TiC/Co cemented carbide under a water-miscible cutting fluid environment.