Does laser surface texturing really have a negative impact on the fatigue lifetime of mechanical components?

AbstractLaser surface texturing (LST) has been proven to improve the tribological performance of machine elements. The micro-scale patterns manufactured by LST may act as lubricant reservoirs, thus supplying oil when encountering insufficient lubrication. However, not many studies have investigated the use of LST in the boundary lubrication regime, likely due to concerns of higher contact stresses that can occur with the increasing surface roughness. This study aims to examine the influence of LST on the fatigue lifetime of thrust rolling bearings under boundary lubrication. A series of periodic patterns were produced on the thrust rolling bearings, using two geometrically different designs, namely cross and dimple patterns. Base oil ISO VG 100 mixed with 0.05 wt% P of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) was supplied. The bearings with cross patterns reduce the wear loss by two orders of magnitude. The patterns not only retain lubricant in the textured pockets but also enhance the formation of an anti-wear tribofilm. The tribofilm generation may be improved by the higher contact stresses that occur when using the textured surface. Therefore, in contrast to the negative concerns, the ball bearings with cross patterns were instead found to increase the fatigue life by a factor of three.

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Effectiveness of multi-shape laser surface texturing in the reduction of friction under lubrication regime

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology ◽

10.1108/ilt-03-2015-0041 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 116-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Dawit Zenebe Segu ◽

Pyung Hwang

Keyword(s):

Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Content Type ◽

Laser Ablation Process ◽

Specific Formula ◽

Steel Surfaces ◽

Lubrication Conditions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and discuss the effect of multi-shape laser surface texturing (LST) steel surfaces on tribological performance. Design/methodology/approach – The textured surface with some specific formula arrays was fabricated by laser ablation process by combining patterns of circles and triangles, circles and squares and circles and ellipses. The tribological test was performed by a flat-on-flat tribometer under dry and lubrication conditions, and results were compared with that of untextured surface. Findings – The results showed that the textured surface had better friction coefficient performance than the untextured surface due to hydrodynamic lubrication effect. Through an increase in sliding speed, the beneficial effect of LST performance was achieved under dry and lubrication conditions. Originality/value – This paper develops multi-shape LST steel surfaces for improving the friction and wear performance under dry and lubrication conditions.

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Numerical and experimental study on the effect of surface texture with roughness orientation considered under a mixed lubrication state

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology ◽

10.1108/ilt-06-2021-0204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Junru Wang ◽

Quandai Wang ◽

Yueyan Li ◽

Meiling Guo ◽

Pengyang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Texture ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Mixed Lubrication ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Geometric Parameters ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Asperity Contact ◽

Content Type ◽

Texture Parameters

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of surface texture with roughness orientation considered on tribological properties under a mixed lubrication state numerically and experimentally. Design/methodology/approach Based on the average Reynolds equation and asperity contact model, the impacts of surface texture parameters and roughness orientation on lubrication properties have been calculated using finite difference method. Tin–bronze samples with various prescribed surface texture geometric parameters and roughness orientation were fabricated by laser surface texturing technique, and the tribology performance of the textured surface was studied experimentally. Findings The effects of surface geometric parameters and roughness orientation parameters have been discerned. The experimental observations are in good agreement with the numerical prediction, which suggests that the numerical scheme adopted in this work is suitable in capturing the surface texture and roughness effect under mixed lubrication state. Originality/value By meticulously controlling the surface roughness and surface texture geometric characteristics based on the laser surface texturing process, samples with prescribed surface texture parameters and roughness orientation consistent with that in theoretical studies were fabricated and the theoretical model and results were verified experimentally.

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Corrosion Wear Performance of Pure Titanium Laser Texturing Surface by Nitrogen Ion Implantation

Metals ◽

10.3390/met10080990 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 990 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lin Cao ◽

Yun Chen ◽

Jie Cui ◽

Wei Li ◽

Zhidan Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wear Resistance ◽

Friction Coefficient ◽

Ion Implantation ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Artificial Joints ◽

Nitrogen Ion Implantation ◽

Nitrogen Ion

The poor tribological performances of titanium have significantly limited its applications in the field of artificial joints. In order to solve problems regarding the wear and corrosion of artificial joints in the body, we fabricated the composite materials utilizing the combination of laser surface texturing and nitrogen ion implantation technology, and investigated the effect of laser surface texturing, nitrogen ion implantation, and different dimple area densities on tribological performance. The results show that the textured surface could reduce the friction coefficient and improve the wear resistance, and the optimum dimple density was found to be 25%. After N ion implantation, the wear resistance of the textured sample was further improved, due to the formation of the nitride layer. Moreover, as shown by the electrochemical test results, the corrosion resistance was enhanced significantly. The friction coefficient decreased the most, and the wear resistance increased by 405% with the lowest wear rate of 0.37 × 10−3 mm3/N·m. However, the specimen with a dimple density of 60% had the worst wear resistance. The results of the study provide a basis for the development and application of artificial joint materials.

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Laser Texturing for Superwetting Titanium Alloy and Investigation of Its Erosion Resistance

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings11121547 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1547

Author(s):

Zhiguo Wang ◽

Jinpeng Song ◽

Tianyi Wang ◽

Huixin Wang ◽

Qinghua Wang

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Superhydrophobic Surface ◽

Erosion Resistance ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Ti Alloy ◽

Textured Surfaces ◽

Superhydrophilic Surface

Erosion of materials is one of the major causes that lead to the malfunction of equipment and facilities, and surface texturing can be a solution for enhancement of erosion resistance. In this work, superwetting (superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic) titanium (Ti) alloy surface with periodic microstructure was prepared by a facile laser-based surface texturing approach which combines laser surface texturing and low-temperature annealing. The effect of laser-induced surface texture and wettability on the erosion resistance of the laser textured surface was studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the chemical surface microstructure and surface on the untreated and laser textured surfaces. The hardness and contact angle of the untreated surface, superhydrophilic surface and superhydrophobic surface were measured by microhardness tester and contact angle goniometer. Using an in-house built erosion experimental setup, the erosion resistance of the untreated surface, superhydrophilic surface and superhydrophobic surface was investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that micro-bumps are formed after laser surface texturing. In the meantime, the surface hardness for the laser textured surface with a step size of 150 μm is increased by 48% under the load of 1.961 N. Compared with the untreated surface, the erosion resistance is increased by 33.9%, 23.8% and 16.1%, respectively, for the superhydrophobic surface. The SEM results show that the untreated surface has large and deep impact pits, while the superhydrophobic surface only has small and shallow impact pits, indicating that the erosion process resulted in less damage to the substrate. The EDS results shows that superhydrophobicity plays a critical role in protecting the substrate from erosion. It is thus believed that the superhydrophobic surface has pronounced effects for improving the hardness and erosion resistance of Ti alloy.

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Polydopamine-Assisted Immobilization of Chitosan Brushes on a Textured CoCrMo Alloy to Improve its Tribology and Biocompatibility

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12183014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (18) ◽

pp. 3014 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Liguo Qin ◽

Hongjiang Sun ◽

Mahshid Hafezi ◽

Yali Zhang

Keyword(s):

Tribological Properties ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Polymer Brushes ◽

Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Osteoblast Cells

Due to their bioinert and reliable tribological performance, cobalt chromium molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys have been widely used for articular joint implant applications. However, friction and wear issues are still the main reasons for the failure of implants. As a result, the improvement of the tribological properties and biocompatibility of these alloys is still needed. Thus, surface modification is of great interest for implant manufacturers and for clinical applications. In this study, a strategy combining laser surface texturing and chitosan grafting (mussel inspired) was used to improve the tribological and biocompatible behaviors of CoCrMo. The microstructure and chemical composition were investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The tribological properties were discussed to determine their synergistic effects. To evaluate their biocompatibility, osteoblast cells were cocultured with the modified surface. The results show that there is a distinct synergistic effect between laser surface texturing and polymer brushes for improving tribological behaviors and biocompatibility. The prepared chitosan brushes on a textured surface are a strong mechanism for reducing friction force. The dimples took part in the hydrodynamic lubrication and acted as the container for replenishing the consumed lubricants. These brushes also promote the formation of a local lubricating film. The wear resistance of the chitosan brushes was immensely improved. Further, the worn process was observed, and the mechanism of destruction was demonstrated. Co-culturing with osteoblast cells showed that the texture and grafting have potential applications in enhancing the differentiation and orientation of osteoblast cells.

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Vacuum brazing of titanium alloy to stainless steel enhance by fiber laser surface texturing

JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES ◽

10.15282/jmes.15.4.2021.12.0678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 8601-8607

Author(s):

A.J. Sulaiman H. ◽

M. H. Aiman ◽

M. Ishak ◽

M. M. Quazi ◽

T. Zaharinie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stainless Steel ◽

Titanium Alloy ◽

Fiber Laser ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Stainless Steel Surface ◽

Periodic Patterns ◽

Vacuum Brazing ◽

Joining Strength

A method for improving the brazing joining strength of Titanium alloy/Stainless steel fabricated through fibre laser surface texturing is introduced because it is a simple process that does not require the fabrication of complicated interlayers. However, previous research shows that a milimeter scale was fabricated by surface modification for dissimilar brazing join, yielding insignificant results and limiting the application and degree of enhancement. Fiber laser ablation was used in this study to create microscale periodic patterns (grooves) on a stainless steel surface. No defect or damage induced during laser surface texturing process. The groove dimension was tunable by controlling the laser parameters. Vacuum brazing of Ti6Al4V to 316L stainless steel with surface texturing, the average joint strength was 22.1 MPa, 34% of increase of joining strength compared to unprocessed flat surface. The combination of laser surface texturing and brazing proven effectively on joining strength enhancement.

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Effects of Laser Surface Texturing and Lubrication on the Vibrational and Tribological Performance of Sliding Contact

Lubricants ◽

10.3390/lubricants10010010 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Shunchu Liu ◽

Qingyi Sai ◽

Shuwen Wang ◽

John Williams

Keyword(s):

Surface Texturing ◽

Picosecond Laser ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Area Density ◽

Surface Textures ◽

Frictional Surfaces ◽

Frictional Vibrations ◽

Frictional Noise

Various textures are fabricated by a picosecond laser machine on the surfaces of circular stainless steel specimens. Vibrational and tribological effects of laser surface textures are investigated by means of a tribometer and a data acquisition and signal processing (DASP) system. Experimental results show that surface textures can reduce the coefficients of friction (COFs), enhance the wear resistance, and improve the dynamical performance of frictional surfaces. In this study, the surface with micro circular dimples in diameter of 150 μm or textured area density of 25% has the best tribological and dynamical performance. Compared with the non-textured surface, the surface with circular dimples in diameter of 150 μm and 15% textured area density has 27% reduction of COFs, 95% reduction of frictional vibrations, and 66% reduction of frictional noise. The frictional vibrations and noise in the sliding contacts can be effectively reduced by adding graphene to the lubrication oil, and the surface textures enhance the frictional noise reduction performance of lubrication.

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Additional Tribological Effect of Laser Surface Texturing and Diamond-Like Carbon Coating for Medium Carbon Steel at Near Room Temperature

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings10100929 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 929

Author(s):

Yanhu Zhang ◽

Hao Fu ◽

Xinwei Wang ◽

Hongyu Liang ◽

Julius Caesar Puoza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Carbon Coating ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Thin Carbon ◽

Carbon Coated ◽

Coated Surface ◽

Coated Surfaces

Texture surface containing both micro-pits and a thin carbon coating was produced using laser surface texturing and magnetic-control vacuum sputtering. Tribological properties of the laser-textured surface coated with thin carbon were experimentally investigated at low-temperature (8–10 °C) under starved and lubricated conditions with a ring-on-ring test rig. The results indicated that the laser-textured surface combined with carbon coating (textured + coating) exhibited low wear intensity and friction coefficient under lubricated conditions, while moderate wear was observed under starved lubrication conditions as compared with the smooth, textured, and carbon-coated surfaces. The wear mechanisms of the lubricated, textured, coated surface under three working conditions (10 N and 1.25 m/s, 16 N and 0.25 m/s, and 50 N and 0.05 m/s) revealed plowing effect, corrosion, and adhesive wear, while oxidative and adhesive wears were observed under starved lubrication. Finally, the textured, coated surface was freely adaptable to different working conditions and exhibited additional effects for better tribological applications at low-temperature as compared with the smooth, laser-textured, and carbon-coated surfaces.

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Tribological Properties of Laser Surface Texturing and Coating Duplex-Treated Surface

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.686.706 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 686 ◽

pp. 706-710

Author(s):

Jie Jiang ◽

Dang Sheng Xiong ◽

Jian Liang Li ◽

Yan Shi

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Wear Rate ◽

Plasma Nitriding ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

High Hardness ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Textured Surface ◽

Wear Properties ◽

Lubricating Film

Components of space machines often works at high temperature and vacuum, or on other rigour conditions, the traditional liquid lubricant cannot satisfy the requirement. The common solid lubricant is hard to supply between two friction surfaces continuously and it is easily decomposed and failure at high temperature. It is an urgent need to study a new type of lubrication technology. In this paper, the surface of 1Cr18Ni9Ti with high hardness and micro dimples was prepared through laser texturing and plasma molybdenizing/plasma nitriding duplex treatment. The textured surface was coated with MoS2 lubricating film and the friction and wear properties from room temperature to high temperature were evaluated. The results show that the laser surface textured dimples trap hard abrasive particles and reduce the damage to the lubricating film, and thus decrease the wear rate. The optimum dimple density of 7.1% is obtained. At elevated temperature, the wear rate of molybdenized texture or nitrided texture is lower than that of the matrix and single textured surface.

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Tribological effects of laser surface texturing and residual stress

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology ◽

10.1108/ilt-11-2016-0282 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 126-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shuwen Wang ◽

Feiyan Yan ◽

Ao Chen

Keyword(s):

Residual Stress ◽

Wear Resistance ◽

Friction And Wear ◽

Surface Texturing ◽

Laser Surface ◽

Friction Reduction ◽

Laser Surface Texturing ◽

Wear Testing ◽

Content Type ◽

Surface Textures

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological effects of laser surface texturing (LST) and residual stress on functional surfaces. Design/methodology/approach Three different surface textures (circular dimple, elliptical dimple and groove) with two different textured area ratios (10 and 20 per cent) are designed and fabricated by a Picosecond Nd YAG Laser machine. The friction and wear performance of textured specimens is tested using a UMT-2 friction and wear testing machine in mixed lubrication. Findings Test results show that elliptical dimples exhibit the best performance in wear resistance, circular dimples in friction reduction and grooves in stabilization of friction. The surfaces with larger textured area density exhibit better performance in both friction reduction and wear resistance. The improved performance of LST is the coupled effect of surface texture and residual stress. Originality/value The findings of this study may provide guidance for optimal design of functional surface textures in reciprocating sliding contacts under mixed or hydrodynamic lubrication, which can be used in automotive and other industrial applications.

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