Nanosecond laser-induced dimple texturing of TB6 alloy surfaces: Tribological behavior under dry and starved-oil lubrication

This study investigates the improvement of tribological properties of TB6 (Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al) alloys through laser surface texturing. It examines the effects of laser scanning cycles (LSCs) and dimple spacing (DS) on the water contact angle and the coefficient of friction (CoF) under both dry friction and starved-oil lubrication conditions. Dimple-textured surfaces reduce wear and friction by decreasing the actual contact area between the friction pairs, preventing wear particle entrapment, and enhancing oil retention, thereby leading to stable oil films. The optimal LSCs and DSs significantly reduce the CoF by up to 66 % under dry friction conditions and by 61 % under starved-oil lubrication conditions, compared to original surfaces. Surfaces with increased LSCs and decreased DSs become superhydrophobic after octadecyltrichlorosilane modification.