Tribological properties of textured surfaces fabricated on AISI 1045 steels by ultrasonic surface rolling under dry reciprocating sliding

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate an effective surface texturing fabrication approach in improving the tribological properties of AISI 1045 hardened steel surface. Ultrasonic surface rolling technology was employed to fabricate strengthened surface and line array textured surface on substrates. Characterizations such as morphology, surface residual stress, microhardness, elasticity modulus and surface roughness with different surfaces were examined. Ball-on disk reciprocating sliding dry friction tests were performed. Results indicate that textured surfaces with good quality and accuracy were fabricated by ultrasonic rolling treatment. Increased microhardness and residual compressive stress of surfaces treated by ultrasonic rolling were obtained. Textured surfaces played a positive role in improving tribological performance. The surface with line array textures presented the best efficiency of anti-friction and anti-wear while sliding against GCr15 steel ball, the friction coefficient and sliding ball wear rate decreased by 79% and 98%, respectively, compared with the polished ones. Additionally, the possible tribological mechanism of ultrasonic rolling texturing was discussed. Multistage structure with mm/micro/nano-textures combined with a strengthened layer caused by ultrasonic rolling technology, increased the mechanical and tribological properties of surfaces. The synergistic combination of strengthened layer and texture structure could contribute to prolonging the friction and wear life of materials.