Surface Texturing for Oil Lubrication by Laser Ablation Process

High interface friction is a cause for low efficiency in engine and driving lines such as bearing and cylinder. This paper investigates reduction of interface friction through laser texturing of contact surfaces by using single mode fiber laser, ultrashort laser and CNC machining center. Microgrooves are created using ultrashort pulsed laser on tool steel and SCM-420H steel which are used for linear bearing applications. The friction test was carried out with different lubricants and surface conditions. The tests showed grooves to indeed decrease interface friction and improved the efficiency of lubricant entrap. Physics of pulsed laser and material were analyzed and its advantages were described with given material.