Fabrication of surfaces with reduced friction using nanosecond laser

Abstract

In this paper a short i.e. nanosecond pulse laser ablation is utilized to fabricate trapezoidal shaped microstructures i.e. riblets that are known to reduce friction. They can be applied for example in turbomachinery applications to make system more economical by reducing the wall shear stress on flow surfaces. Previously, these structures have been manufactured using different methods like grinding and ultrashort pulse lasers. The methods used before have their disadvantages and therefore they cannot be utilized in all applications. By using the nanosecond pulse laser instead of the shorter pulses, it is possible to manufacture riblets with a high fabrication speed and economically. Although a quality of the nanosecond pulse laser manufactured riblets is not as good as ones fabricated with the ultrashort pulse lasers, they are still able to reduce friction in the turbomachinery application.