Laser Surface Texturing of Thrust-Washers

This work presents an experimental study to analyze the influence of laser surface texturing on engine thrust-washers performance. Thrust-washers were surface textured and compared to a conventional one. Textured thrust-washers have a potential advantage due to the presence of micro-dimples obtained by the material vaporization (ablation) due a high energy laser beam applied by a short period of time (or by successive shots at the same place with a lower beam power).

Tribological bench tests were conducted in order to check the performance of the new concept in comparison to the conventional thrust-washer. The composition, surface texturing process, microstructure of the new concept thrust-washer is described. Substantial increase on wear and seizure resistances were observed in the laser textured thrust-washers.