Elucidating the Wear Mechanisms of Laser Surface Textured Surfaces

Abstract

The objective of this project is to study the effects of different surface textures and patterns on the wear mechanisms involved, and the cumulative damage on these surfaces. Laser surface texturing (LST) is used to ablate metallic surfaces to impart a pattern or texture in order to improve surface tribological characteristics. The reduction in friction from LST is enabled by maintaining beneficial surface contact and lubricant adhesion/entrapment in applications such as engine bores, hard drive disks, and seals. However, the wear mechanisms of these tailored surfaces and their accumulation leading to a final wear state is not well understood. For this, a design of experiments involving numerous patterns and their variations will by created on a stainless steel surface using a high-energy laser. Their friction and wear will be characterized via standardized tests and microscopy/profilometry. It is expected that a better understanding of the wear mechanisms of LST surfaces will provide engineers an edge in designing more durable and resilient surfaces.